FNQ to the AFL’s rescue
AFL Queensland is working on a proposal to league headquarters in Melbourne that could lead to clubs being based and playing in north Queensland to complete their seasons.
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AFL Queensland is working on a proposal to league headquarters in Melbourne that could lead to clubs being based and playing in north Queensland to complete their seasons.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan confirmed that Cairns was an option to host games and, with his tongue planted in his cheek, even suggested Port Douglas as a location some of his staff would like to visit and complete the campaign.
While McLachlan said Cairns was an option to play games, local officials are less hopeful of receiving actual matches, with a couple of teams staying in “hubs” locally a more likely option.
Victorian clubs will now set up camp in Queensland for the rest of the home-and-away season and will likely fly between Perth, Adelaide and other venues to play games.
While the majority of games are set to be completed in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns and even Port Douglas could host clubs, under the plan being developed by AFLQ.
More than a dozen teams are likely to be based in the southeast of the state, with AFLQ exploring the opportunities that would come with regional hubs.
Premiership games may not be played in these hubs, but they may host clubs, with teams flying in and out to the southeast for their games.
Officials will push for games to be played in NQ, as well, but broadcast expenses will be Cairns’ Cazalys Stadium’s biggest stumbling block.
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To set up a game, or a handful of games, at a venue such as Cazalys Stadium, which does not host regular matches, is a massive undertaking.
That makes the most likely possibility is NQ hosting clubs during the week, with them heading south to actually play.
AFLQ CEO Dean Warren confirmed discussions with officials in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay had taken place around what potential content in these cities looked like over the remainder of 2020.
“It is so up in the air and complex at the minute, but clearly regional Queensland presents an opportunity because, thankfully, we have quality facilities in those cities,” Warren said.
“AFL Cairns has great experience in hosting games, and Townsville and Mackay have hosted content too. Clearly we have the facilities in regional Queensland, with accommodation options too.
“But, right now, nothing has been confirmed, but they are genuine options for us.”
Before Wednesday morning, local AFL officials had not heard from headquarters in some time about the potential of bringing 2020 premiership matches to Cazalys Stadium.
Everything changed as everyone within the AFL industry pushed full steam ahead to snare games or training hubs to complete the season.
While the Cairns venue has hosted AFL games over the last few years, the stumbling block for landing a larger hub – with a handful of teams – in FNQ is the lack of a second high level ground.
The AFL is keen for cities to have two or more venues which are AFL standard, for training, weights and recovery.
With the Far North only having the one, with other local grounds not up to standard, the feeling is a smaller training hub for two teams is more likely.
Originally published as FNQ to the AFL’s rescue