20th AFL Team

[Canberra Pear]

I agree. Its only if WA3 is not gone for by WA interests. Canberra has a big chance too & makes sense but could impact Giants. If WA want it they could make a business and football case.

As a Canberran, I'm sick of that "could impact the Giants" argument, because it's a load of codswallop, but I'm worried it's so deep in the public consciousness that it might factor.

WA3 is obviously miles ahead of SA3. More money, more people, and a new game in a unique timezone.

SA3 adds so little, and I think would be so much of a burden for no reward, that they'd be better off waiting at 19 than settling for SA3.

I think even NZ would be a better option than SA3.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

As a Canberran, I'm sick of that "could impact the Giants" argument, because it's a load of codswallop, but I'm worried it's so deep in the public consciousness that it might factor.

Agree, there’s so many options that GWS could take if Canberra becomes the 20th AFL side.

They could either play have a secondary market in a regional town in NSW: i.e Newcastle is most likely especially the new stadium being built over there (10,000 crowd), spilt their home games with Sydney Showgrounds (GWS current home ground) and SCG like rumours have mentioned in the past, or even just play all their home games in Sydney Showgrounds and ACTUALLY grow the game in the Western Sydney region as they originally supposed to.

Canberra definitely deserves a team in the AFL competition and hopefully the AFL will give the 20th team licence to them - once their GWS / ACT contract ends in 2032/2033.

Only side problem they might have is trying to either rebuild Manuka Oval to appropriate level capacity (trouble in past) or building a new stadium entirely without RL and RU sulking about it not fitting their needs ATM but would be interesting to see if the AFL can persuade the ACT government in turning Bruce Stadium back to an original AFL stadium as it once was though (Fitzroy played some games there in the 90s), especially given its right next door to the Australian Institute of Sport as well and would also be closer to the city itself compared to Manuka on the Southside (especially given Bruce / Belconnen is one of the fast-growing suburbs in the future for Canberra).

 

[Thailander]

To be fair, South Adelaide were the first club I truely followed in any league before following the AFL and Brisbane Lions.

Mate, imagine if the Tassie team gets called the Panthers

 

[Coolangatta]

Mate, imagine if the Tassie team gets called the Panthers

It'll be the Devils.

Maybe the Canberra Panthers could be a thing?

 

[Cubs2Lions]

It'll be the Devils.

Maybe the Canberra Panthers could be a thing?

People would probably think of NRL, if they were called that.

How about if South Adelaide got the 20th licence and got called the South Adelaide Panthers as they are originally (albeit change colour schemes a little).

 

[Thailander]

People would probably think of NRL, if they were called that.

How about if South Adelaide got the 20th licence and got called the South Adelaide Panthers as they are originally (albeit change colour schemes a little).

Mate dream come true, I'll become Pantherlaird

 

[RedV3x]

Canberra has a big chance too & makes sense but could impact Giants.

Yes, the introduction of the Canberra Koalas (modellling the Kiel Koalas) could indirectly boost Sydney Giants numbers.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Only side problem they might have is trying to either rebuild Manuka Oval to appropriate level capacity (trouble in past) or building a new stadium entirely without RL and RU sulking about it not fitting their needs ATM but would be interesting to see if the AFL can persuade the ACT government in turning Bruce Stadium back to an original AFL stadium as it once was though (Fitzroy played some games there in the 90s), especially given its right next door to the Australian Institute of Sport as well and would also be closer to the city itself compared to Manuka on the Southside (especially given Bruce / Belconnen is one of the fast-growing suburbs in the future for Canberra).

I still think Manuka will be the go. It'll be pretty close to the light rail soon(ish), so the most accessible to the most people. And the area is much better for pre-gaming.

I think cricket will be our saviour. Cricket ACT is pushing for Sheffield Shield and BBL teams. Manuka has already been slowly redeveloped by stealth over the past 15 or so years. It had the initial capacity upgrades, but have had about $20m worth of facility upgrades since.

In Cricket ACT's submission, they said "the ACT Government has a strong desire to reshape the eastern side of the ground, which would likely include a permanent grandstand facility with covered seating for spectators and fans, and appropriate corporate hospitality facilities", so that'd bring it up to around 20k.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

I still think Manuka will be the go. It'll be pretty close to the light rail soon(ish), so the most accessible to the most people. And the area is much better for pre-gaming.

I think cricket will be our saviour. Cricket ACT is pushing for Sheffield Shield and BBL teams. Manuka has already been slowly redeveloped by stealth over the past 15 or so years. It had the initial capacity upgrades, but have had about $20m worth of facility upgrades since.

In Cricket ACT's submission, they said "the ACT Government has a strong desire to reshape the eastern side of the ground, which would likely include a permanent grandstand facility with covered seating for spectators and fans, and appropriate corporate hospitality facilities", so that'd bring it up to around 20k.

Manuka Oval would also be the ideal choice to me, providing it can get to 20-25k capacity but if Cricket ACT can help that push for a bigger stadium capacity, it’ll be hard to resist from the AFL not to allow Canberra as that 20th license.

Wonder if Hawthorn or North Melbourne would play Canberra home games in the distant future (North did in the 90s/00s), given Tasmania will have their own license in 2028.

 

[Coolangatta]

Wonder if Hawthorn or North Melbourne would play Canberra home games in the distant future (North did in the 90s/00s), given Tasmania will have their own license in 2028.

Giants are playing 3 games there until 2032, although I suppose one of them could play 3 games there, bringing Canberra up to 6. That'd really give them a good warm up for their own team in 2033.

 

[Thailander]

Canberra Cockatoos

 

[Aussie in exile]

I still think Manuka will be the go. It'll be pretty close to the light rail soon(ish), so the most accessible to the most people. And the area is much better for pre-gaming.

I think cricket will be our saviour. Cricket ACT is pushing for Sheffield Shield and BBL teams. Manuka has already been slowly redeveloped by stealth over the past 15 or so years. It had the initial capacity upgrades, but have had about $20m worth of facility upgrades since.

In Cricket ACT's submission, they said "the ACT Government has a strong desire to reshape the eastern side of the ground, which would likely include a permanent grandstand facility with covered seating for spectators and fans, and appropriate corporate hospitality facilities", so that'd bring it up to around 20k.

In my opinion there won't be a team in Canberra until after the GWS contract finishes

 

[Cubs2Lions]

In my opinion there won't be a team in Canberra until after the GWS contract finishes

And that isn’t a bad thing to be honest if GWS plays there til 2032/2033 (albeit would be nice for Victorian clubs to play some home matches also here).

Just look at the NRL and their recent expansion outline, Redcliffe (I mean The Dolphins) came in this year but the 18th team won’t be in the competition by 2026/2027.

Only issue is the byes, but like Walshawk has pointed out - it would be easier to schedule Thursday night matches every round with the addition of the 19th team in Tasmania.

 

[RedV3x]

In my opinion there won't be a team in Canberra until after the GWS contract finishes

Yes and the contract could end with mutual and amicable agreement anytime in the future.

 

[The Educator]

Yes and the contract could end with mutual and amicable agreement anytime in the future.

This is right.

There is nothing stopping the AFL and the ACT gov coming to a different agreement that sees a club introduced earlier

 

[Canberra Pear]

The Canberra-GWS deal probably could end earlier if they wanted it, too. They're AFL-owned, they'd pretty much do what they're told.

But it probably doesn't need to.

Tasmania is theoretically coming in in 2028. The AFL would be pretty gun-shy about bringing two teams in back-to-back, both with the draft and financially setting up a team, so they'd probably like a larger gap than when the Suns and Giants came in.

It's a little later than I'd like, but 2033 could be perfect to complement Tassie's entry.

 

[The Educator]

The Canberra-GWS deal probably could end earlier if they wanted it, too. They're AFL-owned, they'd pretty much do what they're told.

But it probably doesn't need to.

Tasmania is theoretically coming in in 2028. The AFL would be pretty gun-shy about bringing two teams in back-to-back, both with the draft and financially setting up a team, so they'd probably like a larger gap than when the Suns and Giants came in.

It's a little later than I'd like, but 2033 could be perfect to complement Tassie's entry.

I am not so sure

The marginal cost / benefit is higher when adding an odd number than it is the subsequent even number. The AFL may, in hindsight, agree than 1 year is too short a time frame for the second team in an expansion, but I don't reckon it is going 5 years with an odd number.

 

[Walshawk]

I am not so sure

The marginal cost / benefit is higher when adding an odd number than it is the subsequent even number. The AFL may, in hindsight, agree than 1 year is too short a time frame for the second team in an expansion, but I don't reckon it is going 5 years with an odd number.

19 teams will work really well. They won’t add a team simply to even up the numbers. If you think that the Tassie deal was/is messy, trying to get a new or updated stadium in Canberra will be even tougher, at least until a new rectangular stadium is built. If it is Canberra (it should ne) it coupd be a long way down the road.

 

[Canberra Pear]

I am not so sure

The marginal cost / benefit is higher when adding an odd number than it is the subsequent even number. The AFL may, in hindsight, agree than 1 year is too short a time frame for the second team in an expansion, but I don't reckon it is going 5 years with an odd number.

2028 is the planned entry for Tasmania, but knowing how much the AFL drags things out, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being 2029 or 2030.

 

[Walshawk]

2028 is the planned entry for Tasmania, but knowing how much the AFL drags things out, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being 2029 or 2030.

Another 18 - 24 months until the stadium can be given the green light. Reckon 2029 is optimistic.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Manuka Oval would also be the ideal choice to me, providing it can get to 20-25k capacity but if Cricket ACT can help that push for a bigger stadium capacity, it’ll be hard to resist from the AFL not to allow Canberra as that 20th license.

Wonder if Hawthorn or North Melbourne would play Canberra home games in the distant future (North did in the 90s/00s), given Tasmania will have their own license in 2028.

Hawks are already doing the groundwork in Cairns.
Womens team playing a game there, and the word is that the men will be playing 2 games there when they leave tassie

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Hawks are already doing the groundwork in Cairns.
Womens team playing a game there, and the word is that the men will be playing 2 games there when they leave tassie

That’s interesting, thought the women’s game was just a one-off but seems to be more substance to the deal.

Canberra Pear, wonder if North Melbourne are secretly putting the groundwork in with the ACT government soon to play 3 home games over here in Canberra alongside GWS’s deal, the more games the better they say

 

[JackFlash]

WA or SA has more of a chance. The AFL would definitely like to prise open the door even further into NRL territory in Canberra if they could, but I suspect they will go to an already-established football state. It will be very difficult to get a team based out of Darwin or Cairns, so I think the North of Australia will have to wait sometime. Several things will be a problem, the talent pool being one of them and the AFL has to take more notice of what junior leagues are doing to the mindset of kids playing the game.

 

[Supercoach Bargain]

Wherever the games are sold now are the most likely. Alice Springs, Darwin, Cairns, Ballarat.
Otherwise why are you playing there at all?

 

[Rob]

Wherever the games are sold now are the most likely. Alice Springs, Darwin, Cairns, Ballarat.
Otherwise why are you playing there at all?

Money

Except for Alice Springs, god knows why we play there. But there's 100 places that would get a team before them.