Gold Coast should play 11 home games at Carrara

[LeBronco]

With the Suns on the verge of a golden era the time is right for them to play all 11 home games on the Gold Coast in Carrara no more selling home games to Darwin if the AFL want to take over the Gold Coast and rubber stamp it as an AFL town they would make moves to make this happen as soon as possible. If the AFL feel the need to keep scheduling games in Darwin they can get a Victorian club to fill the void I'm sure a club like Richmond, Melbourne or Hawthorn would be happy to do so if it means not having to play home games at Docklands especially when these clubs are well aware of how much their supporters hate Docklands.

 

[Colonial]

Hell I’d accept 10 at the Showgrounds for the Giants.

 

[Teen Wolf]

if the AFL want to take over the Gold Coast and rubber stamp it as an AFL town they would make moves to make this happen as soon as possible

That is incorrect. GC have already said they want out from Darwin. AFL's response: don't expect us to cover the $2m annual loss for you.

 

[Sttew]

I'd like 11 or even 10 home games at GMHBA for Geelong...

 

[joe444]

I'd like 11 or even 10 home games at GMHBA for Geelong...

After thirty years, we've managed to get back to that this year, haven't we?

efa: 10 home games for Geelong this year. Last time we had 11, I assume, is ... well ... possibly never because there was always one home game at VFL Park and before that the season was 18 or 20 rounds long anyway.

So I suspect we've never had more than 10 home games in a season.

 

[Colonial]

I'd like 11 or even 10 home games at GMHBA for Geelong...

At least you don’t have to fly to your other “home ground”.

 

[PerthBoy86]

I'd like 11 or even 10 home games at GMHBA for Geelong...

What if the tradeoff was it made you worse at the G? Given your MCG record I'd be pretty happy with the arrangement.

 

[Cmarsh]

The Darwin games are scheduled at a time when it dampens the local momentum they build from early season wins. Darwin served a purpose, now it just hinders the very support they are trying to grow on the Gold Coast by having less games there.

 

[Billy ray]

Not one member or supporter wants the darwin games. Fingers cross it drops to 1 in 2027 and zero thereafter

 

[kreglze]

This year is the last of the current Darwin deal. Can see it being re-negotiated to 1 game a year next year.

 

[Colonial]

This year is the last of the current Darwin deal. Can see it being re-negotiated to 1 game a year next year.

You can hope. I did and had it crushed.

 

[Clark G]

Everyone so far is on the side of Gold Coast playing less or no games in Darwin. I will present the case for remaining. Why leave a venue where you have a good record? And isn’t it good to have a secondary market where you can spread your brand and expand your membership?

 

[jimbler]

With the Suns on the verge of a golden era the time is right for them to play all 11 home games on the Gold Coast in Carrara

Last year they had two home games in the first 12 rounds. This year they have four home games in the first 13 rounds. It's all very odd when the AFL makes a big song and dance about Opening Round in the Northern States. You would think they'd load the Suns up with home games in the first couple of months to try and build on that momentum instead of giving them as few home games as possible at the start of the season.

 

[Billy ray]

Everyone so far is on the side of Gold Coast playing less or no games in Darwin. I will present the case for remaining. Why leave a venue where you have a good record? And isn’t it good to have a secondary market where you can spread your brand and expand your membership?

I literally get to see my team 9 times live at the ground (and 1 away at gabba 90 mins away). Unlike you who can see 11 home games plus what 3-5 games away also in Melbourne?
Not fair on the city and supporters and members who live here and support the team.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Presumably the men's team no longer selling home games would mean the same applies to the women's team (meaning even more $ lost). Or they both start playing in Mackay.

GC just want fairness, so the club obviously won't impose double standards across the AFL and AFLW programs.

 

[Underarm]

I'd like 11 or even 10 home games at GMHBA for Geelong...

If we're all putting in requests 11 home games at the G would be swell.

 

[Clark G]

I literally get to see my team 9 times live at the ground (and 1 away at gabba 90 mins away). Unlike you who can see 11 home games plus what 3-5 games away also in Melbourne?
Not fair on the city and supporters and members who live here and support

Unless you barrack for a Melbourne based team, you barrack for a team in a one or two team town, so harder to go to away games. Maybe playing games in Darwin for now is a good way for the Suns to establish financial stability. Remember Richmond at one point sold a game a year to Queensland for financial reasons. Success arrived not long after that period for them.

 

[glengowan]

Regardless of if they stay in NT or not, kudos to Gold Coast for embracing Darwin as their "2nd home". Along with the Hawks in Launceston and GWS in Canberra - they have done it properly.

I just wonder if there is a case for Gold Coast to continue to build what they have already successfully started, and for Southport to be "Team 20 / QLD Sharks" and doing a similar thing up in North QLD. Two teams based on the Gold Coast, also representing the northern parts of Australia.

 

[speedpeck23]

Regardless of if they stay in NT or not, kudos to Gold Coast for embracing Darwin as their "2nd home". Along with the Hawks in Launceston and GWS in Canberra - they have done it properly.

I just wonder if there is a case for Gold Coast to continue to build what they have already successfully started, and for Southport to be "Team 20 / QLD Sharks" and doing a similar thing up in North QLD. Two teams based on the Gold Coast, also representing the northern parts of Australia.

Sharks would be definitely part of the conversation as the 20th team. They are fixtured in to the VFL and the rivalry between Sharks and the Suns is a real thing. It will be interesting to see what plays out. The Sharks have a big membership and profile on the Gold Coast.

It really depends how Queensland footy develops over the next few years leading in to and beyond 2032 and if the SE Qld population continues to grow. Basically the Suns and the Sharks could share Carrara with bigger drawing matches played at Victoria Park Stadium in Brisbane.

 

[Cmarsh]

Sharks would be definitely part of the conversation as the 20th team. They are fixtured in to the VFL and the rivalry between Sharks and the Suns is a real thing. It will be interesting to see what plays out. The Sharks have a big membership and profile on the Gold Coast.

It really depends how Queensland footy develops over the next few years leading in to and beyond 2032 and if the SE Qld population continues to grow. Basically the Suns and the Sharks could share Carrara with bigger drawing matches played at Victoria Park Stadium in Brisbane.

Two AFL teams on the Gold Coast? You can't be serious.

 

[speedpeck23]

Two AFL teams on the Gold Coast? You can't be serious.

Watch this space !!

 

[Seattle Mariners]

And I reckon Melbourne should get out of Alice Springs. The venue is a dump and we have a horrendous recent record there.