Expansion 20th AFL team location

[Cubs2Lions]

In a decades time places like Sunshine Coast in Queensland would support an AFL side due to the infrastructure that is going in there currently.

The other thing to add on that is there will be further infrastructure being developed in SEQ 10-15 years as well given the Olympics being held there in 2032 so possibly there could be scope for a relocated team to be based over there in the future.

Ideally though after Tasmania’s and Canberra’s entry, there should be 3 Victorian clubs that be relocated in the future to Darwin / NT, NSW3 (Northern Sydney / Newcastle) and QLD3 (Sunshine Coast / North Queensland) to create a complete 22 team competition.

Will this happen though, most likely not in this reality we live in.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Why a new team when GWS can't even get a 5 figure crowd to the games anymore?

 

[1990crow]

The other thing to add on that is there will be further infrastructure being developed in SEQ 10-15 years as well given the Olympics being held there in 2032 so possibly there could be scope for a relocated team to be based over there in the future.

Ideally though after Tasmania’s and Canberra’s entry, there should be 3 Victorian clubs that be relocated in the future to Darwin / NT, NSW3 (Northern Sydney / Newcastle) and QLD3 (Sunshine Coast / North Queensland) to create a complete 22 team competition.

Will this happen though, most likely not in this reality we live in.

With two relocations there would still be 20 teams.
I think NT is 50 years away

 

[FreoRicci]

Now that Tasmania’s entry into the AFL is 99% completed (given the stadium deal is complete and presidents will
overwhelming vote yes) and will force the AFL competition into 19 teams by 2027/2028 (dependent on entry), it won’t be long til the AFL start the process on where the 20th team should be ideally located to avoid the dreaded bye in their competitions for too long, while also increasing weekly matches to 10 per round.

Personally, Canberra / ACT should have been favourites by a long mile to gain the 20th license in the AFL, given the close proximity from Sydney and Melbourne, current population of 467k (expected to grow of 700k+ by 2063) and having a bigger population then other non-AFL team representation and much more ideal weather compared to the other Northern states or territories.

However, given the fact that GWS signed a 10 year deal to play 3 home games per year over there (til 2032) and the fact that GWS relies on the deal for their essential survival almost given the poor numbers they have in “adopted” NSW, it seems highly unlikely that Canberra will get that license now and will have to wait til the 21st and 22nd slots become available (which might be a fair while IMO)

Therefore, I can see the AFL either going safe with a 3rd SA / WA license or expanding into the Northern states again in either QLD (rightly or wrongly) given the money being put in from the state and federal governments for the 2032 Olympics in South-East Queensland and the AFL trying to cash in from those developments or for them give a license in NT to help build the code furthermore in Darwin / Alice Springs while also improving the Aboriginal / Torrens Strait Islander player rates in AFL competitions in the future compared to the past and now.

WA may seem to be the safe vote, however it isn’t feasible.
Can see AFL doing Queensland to one up NRL after their Redcliffe Dolphins expansion. Gabba will be redeveloped very nicely for 2032.

 

[FreoRicci]

Why a new team when GWS can't even get a 5 figure crowd to the games anymore?

Should honestly just merge Gold Coast and GWS.

 

[btdg]

I still cannot for the life of me understand why a 20th team is in dicussion.

Let's get one good 19th team in place, performing well, and let the ripples around the competition die down before we add #20, please. For the love of god, did we learn nothing from the debacle that was the launch of Gold Coast and GWS?

 

[Foreign Legion]

Maybe they should ask ChatGPT.

ChatGPT 4's response - it doesnt know about Tassie yet

 

[Foreign Legion]

Sorry forgot to attach the pic

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Sorry forgot to attach the pic

 

[Cubs2Lions]

WA may seem to be the safe vote, however it isn’t feasible.
Can see AFL doing Queensland to one up NRL after their Redcliffe Dolphins expansion. Gabba will be redeveloped very nicely for 2032.

By the sounds of things from the NRL, there’s a slight possibility that they could place their 18th side in either South-East Queensland again (Ipswich Jets / Brisbane Firehawks) or “more likely” option of expanding in Papua New Guinea (with the majority of games being played in Cairns mind you) by 2027/2028, making professional rugby league more popular then AFL by then.

Should be noted though the other more feasible options (looking from the outside) include NZ2 (Wellington / Christchurch), Perth or Adelaide to create a full national competition but it’s the NRL after all and they don’t know anywhere or anything from outside of the east coast

 

[peetoo]

It has to be Canberra.
Tasmania gets the team they deserve in a historical football state.
Canberra is an old AFL region neglected and replaced by NRL. Getting a team would aid in the AFLs mission to conquer the eastern states.

Post Team 20 Melbourne club relocations would be the next step. Looking at you North and St.Kilda.

Can’t think of a region which could relistically support an AFL,team

But suggest a Melbourne based team move there

Didn’t they say Melbourne grows the equivalent of a regional city every year?

Apart from us knowing the Tassie team will get good crowds, part of the funding is the tourism it brings.

 

[sydney_gws]

No extra team please.

It's time North, you've had a good run

Would they consider a merger with Gold Coast ?
I am not sure that works now.

 

[bradee]

Perth wont work,West Coast has massive support in Perth,Fremantle also is heavily supported(mainly in the southern suburbs around the Fremantle area but nowhere near as much support overall as West Coast) and others support the other 16 clubs.

I struggle to see where a 3rd Perth team are going to get supporters from.West Coast and Fremantle fans are very passionate about their teams and I dont think many would jump off and go and support a 3rd Perth team.

 

[JohnZ]

This was true at Subiaco, they don't fill Optus.

They did, just a shit time to be shit as the new stadium got finished.

Plenty of people on the waiting list for a season ticket at West Coast, which shows the demand for a third team. Freo are now filling Optus most weeks so less concerns there about robbing peter to pay paul.

 

[mightymouse75]

Perth wont work,West Coast has massive support in Perth,Fremantle also is heavily supported(mainly in the southern suburbs around the Fremantle area but nowhere near as much support overall as West Coast) and others support the other 16 clubs.

I struggle to see where a 3rd Perth team are going to get supporters from.West Coast and Fremantle fans are very passionate about their teams and I dont think many would jump off and go and support a 3rd Perth team.

I'm looking for a new team

 

[Coolangatta]

I'm looking for a new team

You jest but I think WA3 would pose a bigger threat to Fremantle than West Coast.

 

[Shaunbkk]

Don't need one FFS. And as much as I support tas AFL, the govt. All govts are propaganda and corrupt as are the Mainstream media and like the morons most are they actually think anything over the past years was done for the anyone but the elites. Lol. Go Devils!

On Redmi Note 9 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Freomaniac]

Canberra Pear , your turn now.

ACT has to come in

 

[Canberra Pear]

Canberra Pear , your turn now.

ACT has to come in

I'm cautiously optimistic, but it could really go anyway.

Hoping to see Tasmania v Canberra at Manuka Oval some time in the 2030s though!

 

[Cubs2Lions]

I'm cautiously optimistic, but it could really go anyway.

Hoping to see Tasmania v Canberra at Manuka Oval some time in the 2030s though!

Would be cool to see a sell out Manuka Oval match between Canberra vs. Carlton / Collingwood / Essendon as well

 

[Canberra Pear]

Would be cool to see a sell out Manuka Oval match between Canberra vs. Carlton / Collingwood / Essendon as well

Exactly! It'd be great to finally get some higher drawing teams.

 

[Freomaniac]

Move North Melbourne to Cape York

Bring in West Brunswick Ammos

Say that to the hundreds of north Melbourne fans to their faces in the centre of Arden street. LoL

You won't get out of Arden Street alive lol

 

[Freomaniac]

Hopefully Canberra so the Giants can concentrate on WS.

Well that would make sense.

Western NSW is a span of a good 100 KMs. You got Parramatta and Blacktown and the Blue mountains to convert a new generation of fans.

Just like the world wrestling Federations new generation era of 1993-97 LoL

 

[mick500]

Northern territory cane toads. You Hird it here first.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Say that to the hundreds of north Melbourne fans to their faces in the centre of Arden street. LoL

You won't get out of Arden Street alive lol

I like how you said hundreds and not thousands.