I am an avid expansionist. If the AFL don't get bigger quickly in Sydney they will remain a tin pot outfit primarily located in one Australian city and largely irrelevant to more than half Australia's massively growing population in NSW and Qld. On the back of that statement I make the following comments.
By relocating the venue of only 3 AFL matches per year the AFL could significantly raise the profile of the game in NSW and help boost the efforts of the Swans and GWS in trying to gain a critical mass following of the game in Australia's most important sporting/media market.
Currently there are no matches played North of the harbour.....where the vast majority of well heeled relocated expats from the southern states reside. Inevitably there would be a significant number of West Coast and Adelaide supporters amongst them. They would be the predominate target market. North would be the vehicle and "home" team to play them.
North would play 2 matches every year in North Sydney against Adelaide and West Coast. A further "home" game each season against Gold Coast in Newcastle would be the third game. All 3 clubs would be able to sell club memberships in Sydney. Currently the Eagles and Crows memberships are limited simply by the lack of home ground capacity. Their true supporter base around the country would easily rival any Victorian club. West Coast and Adelaide would play 3 games each year in Sydney..against Swans GWS and North.
North would play 5 including away matches against GWS and Swans. North would be able to sell a 5 game membership package in Sydney. They would effectively have 2 supporter bases (North Melbourne Kangaroos and North Sydney Kangaroos). They would be marketed as the football club playing Australia's iconic game, with Australia's iconic emblem, and based in Australia's two biggest cities. Their logo would feature 2 kangaroos and a subtle reference to the Bridge. While still owned and operated by NMFC their playing brand would be the North Kangaroos. They would continue to play 13 games in Melbourne with all North Melbourne Kangaroos members able to purchase at least an 11 game membership.
If it bombs out North remains as North Melbourne or retreat to Hobart. If it succeeds North have the potential of playing 2 more matches in Sydney. "Home" games against GWS and Swans in Sydney. With success the club would almost certainly be the highest profile club in the AFL and a critical part of the games long term viability.
All I can say to North and the AFL...dare to be different....many people up here are sick of the Swans dominating the AFL scene in Sydney and GWS will struggle for a long time to get many supporters. There is a latent group of AFL fans wanting to see North Sydney get some action.
By relocating the venue of only 3 AFL matches per year the AFL could significantly raise the profile of the game in NSW and help boost the efforts of the Swans and GWS in trying to gain a critical mass following of the game in Australia's most important sporting/media market.
Currently there are no matches played North of the harbour.....where the vast majority of well heeled relocated expats from the southern states reside. Inevitably there would be a significant number of West Coast and Adelaide supporters amongst them. They would be the predominate target market. North would be the vehicle and "home" team to play them.
North would play 2 matches every year in North Sydney against Adelaide and West Coast. A further "home" game each season against Gold Coast in Newcastle would be the third game. All 3 clubs would be able to sell club memberships in Sydney. Currently the Eagles and Crows memberships are limited simply by the lack of home ground capacity. Their true supporter base around the country would easily rival any Victorian club. West Coast and Adelaide would play 3 games each year in Sydney..against Swans GWS and North.
North would play 5 including away matches against GWS and Swans. North would be able to sell a 5 game membership package in Sydney. They would effectively have 2 supporter bases (North Melbourne Kangaroos and North Sydney Kangaroos). They would be marketed as the football club playing Australia's iconic game, with Australia's iconic emblem, and based in Australia's two biggest cities. Their logo would feature 2 kangaroos and a subtle reference to the Bridge. While still owned and operated by NMFC their playing brand would be the North Kangaroos. They would continue to play 13 games in Melbourne with all North Melbourne Kangaroos members able to purchase at least an 11 game membership.
If it bombs out North remains as North Melbourne or retreat to Hobart. If it succeeds North have the potential of playing 2 more matches in Sydney. "Home" games against GWS and Swans in Sydney. With success the club would almost certainly be the highest profile club in the AFL and a critical part of the games long term viability.
All I can say to North and the AFL...dare to be different....many people up here are sick of the Swans dominating the AFL scene in Sydney and GWS will struggle for a long time to get many supporters. There is a latent group of AFL fans wanting to see North Sydney get some action.
