Eyes on the prize: Regional councils Gather Round AFL game offer

Excited regional community leaders are already putting their hands up to host future Gather Round games, with the three-year AFL deal ensuring at least one country game.

Excited regional community leaders are already putting their hands up to host future Gather Round games.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has invited interest, saying regional tourism opportunities were part of what had made the Adelaide and Adelaide Hills round work.

“It’s that we have a great city, but you can also get in your car and in 30 or 40 minutes be in a truly world-class setting – the Barossa, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills,’’ he said.

Mr Malinauskas told The Advertiser more than $2 million had been spent on the Mr Barker oval to bring it up to AFL standard

“But, my message to local government is really clear – we expect partnership. We need local government to invest with the state,” he said

The Barossa Valley has backing by Mr Malinauskas with Mr Barker fighting to keep the regional game.

The three-year AFL deal ensures at least one country game.

Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said the region welcomed Mr Malinauskas’ comments on Barossa being suitable.

“We certainly welcome the conversations with the State Government, AFL and SANFL, and the opportunity to participate,’’ he said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas took this photograph of the Mt Barker oval before it hosted a Gather Round game. Picture: supplied

“We’ve secured the South Australian Country Football Championships in July, with Central District and the Crows playing here in the Barossa, and we’re more than happy to talk with AFL and State Government to take our facilities to that next level.”

Also keen yesterday were Onkaparinga Council which includes McLaren Vale, and Murray Bridge council.

Port Augusta is also in the running, with council chief executive John Banks saying the Central Oval complex had a $15 million makeover in 2015 and $1 million turf upgrade in 2020.

“With the recent upgrades, apart from a boundary fence, the complex is ‘AFL Ready’,” he said.

“The complex could cater to a crowd size similar to the match held at Mount Barker and the lighting at Central Oval would support an evening AFL match.”

Victor Harbor Council chief executive Victoria MacKirdy said South Australia’s favourite coastline region would attract good crowd numbers.

“The City of Victor Harbor is home to a thriving football culture and passionate country clubs with history dating back more than 100 years,’’ she said.

“Encounter Bay Oval has previously hosted an AFL pre-season game and proven to be a highly regarded venue – we’d love to see a match for AFL premiership points.”

Port Pirie Council chief executive Peter Ackland said the city was ready and willing to talk about Gather Round games.

“We have spent a number of millions of dollars on our ovals and they have hosted a pre-season AFL game,’’ he said.

“They were built to cater for this and we would be very keen.”