Plans to triple AFL Gather Round have been roundly hammered by fans
Just as fans come to grips with Gather Round, massive expansion plans have already been revealed and they’re not going down well.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Plans to significantly expand the AFL’s Gather Round have been roundly hammered by footy fans.
The concept itself has been a polarising one among footy folk, with many considering it a knee-jerk reaction to the NRL’s Magic Round, which has gathered all teams in Brisbane since the 2019 season.
Fox Footy is the only place to watch every game of Gather Round, stream on Kayo Sports also available on Hubbl
The name of the AFL’s version, the location and some of the venues have also come in for criticism.
The problem facing the AFL in the coming years is the expansion to 19 teams when the Tasmanian Devils join the competition in 2028.
With an uneven number of teams, one club would be forced to sit out any future Gather Round.
So that has led the AFL to come up with the concept of grossly expanding Gather Round to a series of Gather Rounds, flying in the face of the supposedly unique nature of all teams gathering in the same location once each year.
“Nine News have obtained private documents from the AFL which I guess show us what the AFL will look to do when the Tasmanian team comes in,” reporter Tom Morris said.
“The issue is you can’t have one Gather Round where one team misses out because there’s 19 teams. So the AFL is looking at three Gather Rounds per year.
“The first would be in Victoria and Tasmania across Labour Day weekend, the second would be in Sydney across Easter and the third would be either in Perth or Adelaide, alternating annually, across the winter holidays.
“It’s just a way to include all teams and each club would play two of those three Gather Rounds.”
There was already controversy this weekend when it emerged the South Australian Tourism Commission had asked journalists to refrain from using well established terms Radelaide and City of Churches to describe Adelaide.
The new idea for Gather Round has since been widely panned by footy fans on social media.
“Ah, so no gather round,” quipped media personality and Olympian Georgie Parker, reflecting the thoughts of most. “Got it.”
Journalist Leo Puglisi was another to slam the new concept.
“This is why we can’t have nice things, three gather rounds is a stupid idea,” he tweeted.
A number of other reactions centred around a perceived cash grab from the AFL.
“So basically get a good idea and flog it to death for as much sweet sweet money as possible until any semblance of joy is drained dry,” was one response.
“Maybe we can have multiple grand finals each year too,” suggested another.
“Trust the AFL to milk the crap out of something so it loses its appeal,” added a third.
A number of AFL fans have expressed an interest in heading to Adelaide during the current incarnation, which has enjoyed mostly packed stadiums this year.
“Bloody hell, it is 2 years in and you want to change it already,” wrote one disgruntled fan.
“One Gather ROUND, in Adelaide around this time every year. Wasn’t sure about the concept initially, but I love it. Makes me keen to go to Adelaide one year. Let it evolve.”
Others questioned whether some of the proposed markets would embrace an expansion of the concept.
Sydney was originally talked about as a possible foundation city for the AFL’s round before it plumped for Adelaide.
“Talk about “killing the goose that laid the golden egg”. Are they drinking too much wine over there?” was another reaction.
“Sydney and Perth will never work. Adelaide is perfect. Good hotels, restaurants and transport all within walking distance. Leave it alone!”
Originally published as Plans to triple AFL Gather Round have been roundly hammered by fans
Gather Round: Crows open again, Ken, Hawks set for blockbuster
One of the biggest moments of the AFL season came after the Power-Hawks final when Ken Hinkley told Jack Ginnivan he wouldn’t be flying to Sydney. Now we know when the rematch is coming.
Ralph: The key Dees developments that could save Goodwin’s job
Melbourne’s public review said it was capable of playing finals, but their game plan had to be refined, now the work begins for Simon Goodwin after a tumultuous 31 months, writes Jon Ralph.