Expansion ? Should AFL fixture matches into Sunshine Coast and Newcastle...

Jul 20, 2008
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The AFL and the Clubs collectively agreed to expansion into NSW and Qld way back in 2001. To me they have not fully recognised the opportunities that exist because there are now 2 clubs based in each state.

Matches played in the above locations (both of which have massively expanding population bases) would significantly grow the profile and support base of the local clubs involved, or even a Victorian club, if it chose to develop a second base.

Parochialism of the Victorian clubs is a key factor in the success of the AFL Competition but it is also the achilles heel of the AFL if it prevents those clubs failing to truly support expansion in a constructive way...ie by growing their brand beyond Victoria.
 

JohnZ

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I wonder if the AFL would be keen to schedule Carlton vs Collingwood in Newcastle and Hawthorn vs Essendon on the Sunshine Coast.

Would give Gold Coast and Fremantle more games at the MCG each year.
Plenty of vic clubs who get 1 or 2 MCG games that would take them
 

Morning_Fog

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Plenty of vic clubs who get 1 or 2 MCG games that would take them

Oh contraire

Wasn’t part of the new MCG Grand Final agreement supposed to see non Victorian sides gain greater access to the MCG?

And what Victorian side only gets 1 MCG game next year?
 

Isaac Cumming No 1

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This is the second thread on this topic by the OP but nowhere is there a reason why. I'm not sure about the Sunshine Coast but I'm pretty sure the Liins would see it as their's.

Newcastle actually has an interesting history with the local black diamond league very old. Arguably second to Melbourne as the oldest comp, challenged by Wellington. It's very much the Swans zone though.

It's one thing to take random clubs to greenfields like the NT, and provide a spectacle. It's nonsense in areas covered by a clubs zone though. If games are to be held in these places they need to include the local team.
 
Aug 27, 2014
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Do not see much point in Newcastle. Support the areas close to the expansion clubs. Hence I thought Gold Coast playing in China was stupid also.
I did however suggest earlier this year if Gold Coast as locality does not work for Suns as their base identity a re-naming to East Coast Suns and identifying their support base from Coffs Harbour to Sunshine Coast not the worst option.

If they played games at Kawana Waters or Caloundra on Sunshine Coast if a ground was built for it, it might develop a stronger community club feel than Gold Coast done so far. Having said that, I think Suns management hellbent on making it work where they are now. Good luck to them, Hope it works.
 
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Who plays there?
I could see some merit maybe in the Swans playing a game at Newcastle. Maybe. Probably not GWS because they already have the Canberra thing going on.

Gold Coast trying to be a broader SEQ team seems to lose its reason for being. Its not even a short term insurance policy like the Giants in Canberra.
 

Isaac Cumming No 1

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I could see some merit maybe in the Swans playing a game at Newcastle. Maybe. Probably not GWS because they already have the Canberra thing going on.

Gold Coast trying to be a broader SEQ team seems to lose its reason for being. Its not even a short term insurance policy like the Giants in Canberra.
Canberra isn't a short term insurance policy though. We're a committed to the development of the ACT region as we are to Western Sydney.

It was good for players in the early years to have a parochial crowd somewhere. I've noticed it's evening up.

Newcastle is the Swans zone, it'll be them or no-one.
 

Isaac Cumming No 1

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I could see some merit maybe in the Swans playing a game at Newcastle. Maybe. Probably not GWS because they already have the Canberra thing going on.

Gold Coast trying to be a broader SEQ team seems to lose its reason for being. Its not even a short term insurance policy like the Giants in Canberra.
Canberra isn't a short term insurance policy though. We're a committed to the development of the ACT region as we are to Western Sydney.

It was good for players in the early years to have a parochial crowd somewhere. I've noticed it's evening up.

Newcastle is the Swans zone, it'll be them or no-one.
 

Morning_Fog

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The AFL should be working out a way to distribute 24 games a year between Far North Queensland (Cairns and or Townsville) and the Norther Territory (Darwin and Alice Springs)

Maybe 6 games in each location per year.
 
Oh contraire

Wasn’t part of the new MCG Grand Final agreement supposed to see non Victorian sides gain greater access to the MCG?

And what Victorian side only gets 1 MCG game next year?

North Melbourne ;)

But I guess looking at the fixture for a few minutes wouldn't support your anti-Victorian agenda.
 
Just remind me what the competition is called?

Oh right!!

You do realise that Victoria is part of Australia, and that being the largest market (by a LONG way) is a factor in how the game is worked out?

(or to put it another way, while we pay for it, you don't get everything going your way).
 
Oh contraire

Wasn’t part of the new MCG Grand Final agreement supposed to see non Victorian sides gain greater access to the MCG?

And what Victorian side only gets 1 MCG game next year?

North only get one, which is fine by me.

What is this obession people have with attempting to force feed NSW and Queensland people footy?

They have plenty of access to it now as is, if they want to watch they can.

If they choose to remain the backwards rugby liking swamp that sustains the likes of Alan Jones and Peter Dutton they are, so be it.
 

kid_a

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Do they (Newcastle and Sunshine Coast) even have stadiums capable of holding AFL games?
Nope, on the sunny coast there is a decent footy facility but Itd only be able to host at best pre season games but even then Id say NEAFL games would be the highest level they could realistically host. I used live and play there in my teens (late 2000s) and there is a decent amount of support for footy (although clearly 2nd to rugby league), but its not like one urban conurbation such as the Gold Coast, its various small cities scattered over a region with each town having its own identity, so would be tough to galvanize the whole area to get on board a club, plus only like 1/3 of footy fans there go for the lions, the rest are mostly Victorian ex-pats or the children of Vic ex-pats very much dedicated to their club.
 
Oh contraire

Wasn’t part of the new MCG Grand Final agreement supposed to see non Victorian sides gain greater access to the MCG?

And what Victorian side only gets 1 MCG game next year?

North Melbourne.

Edit: Oops, already been mentioned.
 
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