Premier Peter Malinauskas says millions to be spend on regional ovals in AFL Gather Round legacy

Budding AFL stars will benefit from multimillion-dollar oval upgrades under the deal for three more Gather Rounds. But the coup was not without its dramas – see what went down.

Budding AFL stars will enjoy a lasting Gather Round legacy from millions of dollars poured into regional sporting grounds.

Premier Peter Malinauskas wants “more than one game” outside Adelaide in next year’s fixture, which he is pushing to again coincide with Victorian school holidays.

In an interview with The Advertiser, he said “millions of dollars’ would be put into regional football ovals, grandstands, change rooms and other facilities as part of the three-year Gather Round hosting deal forged on Sunday.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, announcing South Australia will host Gather Round for a further three years. Pic: Michael Klein

“Part of the deal that we‘ve negotiated with the AFL is a contribution from both the AFL itself and the state government for community-based infrastructure,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“ That is a benefit because we would like to do that anyway, so if we can get money out of the AFL quarantined for that, rather than just hosting Gather Round, it means there is a legacy to the event.”

Mr Malinauskas said a “co-investment model” with the AFL would be released publicly within weeks, once the broad agreement for three more Gather Rounds struck on Sunday was “fine-tuned”.

He singled out the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale as potential venues but pointedly did not commit to any.

But he said the AFL had been cool on areas including Mount Gambier and Port Lincoln when floated ahead of the past weekend’s event, because “they want this spirit of having everyone close” within a short drive of Adelaide.

It is understood both Mr Malinauskas and AFL chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan both declared on Sunday morning that a deal for Adelaide to remain as host would be struck that day.

Mr Malinauskas did not confirm or deny reports that he walked away from a two-year extension to the inaugural event before reaching agreement on the three-year deal.

He also again declined to reveal the deal’s cost to taxpayers but said this had “largely been able” to be achieved within a $40m Major Events fund, from which the inaugural event and this weekend’s LIV Golf Adelaide were backed.

Mr Malinauskas watched Sunday’s Collingwood victory over St Kilda at Adelaide Oval with LIV Golf stars Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed.

American golfers Dustin Johnson, from left, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed with Premier Peter Malinauskas watching St Kilda v Collingwood match at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

He said most key negotiating points with the AFL had been resolved but his office had set a target of resolving next year’s regional venues and dates in May to give the state and visitors time to plan.

He said the primary driver of next year’s timing would again be synchronising the event with Victorian school holidays, to enable families to travel.

“It doesn‘t have to be in Victorian school holidays but we’re pretty keen on that. I think that worked well. People forget that a lot of people drove – we expect more to drive – and for families driving is sometimes a more affordable option. So you can only do that with time and holidays lends itself to that.”

Asked if he wanted to keep Gather Round beyond three years or accepted the event might alternate with other states, Mr Malinauskas said: “I would love to keep it here clearly. But the AFL has made it pretty clear they’re going to take it around the place and they’ve said that from the start, to be fair to them.

“So I think getting it for three years from their perspective is they want to consolidate it and maximise it, and then take it on the road.”

Collingwood and St Kilda run through a united banner at Adelaide Oval on the 30-year anniversary of Nicky Winmar’s stand against racism at Victoria Park. Pic: Michael Klein

Mr Malinauskas signalled a change to ticketing for Adelaide Oval double-headers, which were criticised for being labelled sellouts despite many fans attending only one game.

It is understood options being considered include dedicated zones for fans attending one match – or for those staying for both.

“I think there’s a few options available to the AFL. Do you empty stadiums in between double-headers? Do you have parts of the ground that are two-game spectator zones versus one game? I think there are various option – sometimes you have to keep things simple … we have to work with the AFL on this issue,” Mr Malinauskas said.