‘It’d be a shame’: Plot for AFL’s Gather Round would be dagger in Adelaide’s heart

The Sharks have begun to circle and calls are coming in hot for Adelaide to be stripped of its right to host AFL Gather Round.

The Crows were pumped on Thursday. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images.

The battle lines have been drawn and now the war for Gather Round begins.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan’s comments across the opening days of Gather Round have been music to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas’ ears with the “festival of footy” round appearing all but certain to return to Adelaide in 2024.

What happens beyond that is anyone’s guess.

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Having forked out a reported $14 million to bring Gather Round to the City of Churches, it seems the only thing stopping the deal from being rubber stamped for 2024 is the final jostling over the money the South Australian government will need to cough up.

McLachlan has also been blown away by the host city and let the cat out of the bag on Friday morning, openly suggesting Gather Round will be coming back next year.

The major difference reportedly being considered is a push for the 2024 Gather Round to include a game being played in the Barossa Valley — to showcase the nation’s most iconic wine region. News Corp reports the AFL has already begun a feasibility study into potentially taking a game to Tanunda.

Several other states, including NSW and WA have put their hand up to get in on the action but McLachlan said Adelaide “feels like the right spot” as a heartland of Australian rules.

“Adelaide just feels like the right spot. The fact that it’s in the centre of Australia,” McLachlan told 3AW on Friday morning.

“I think it’s got a strong case that it’s got its roots down here and it needs to be here for a while.”

James Aish of the Dockers handballs in front of the Norwood scene. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Malinauskas has also gone public to declare he wants Gather Round to stay for at least four more years.

According to News Corp, Malinauskas told McLachlan in front of a corporate function audience the state will match dollar-for-dollar upgrade projects on footy facilities across the state - including the Barossa Valley proposal.

“If we get a four-year run at it, you get all that and more, Gil,” Malinauskas said.

But that was before the sharks began circling on Saturday.

Western Australia, Tasmania, NSW and Queensland have all shown interest in winning the rights to host the event.

The threat to South Australia is very real.

Coaches John Longmire, Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan have been among the high profile figures to call for the concept to be taken on the road to other cities.

The AFL reportedly viewed Sydney as its preferred venue for the inaugural Gather Round, but the South Australian government was impossible to say no to after an impressive pitch that included a rich incentive.

The Crows got the party started in Adelaide. Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

McLachlan was spotted sitting down with Swans chief executive Tom Harley at Mt Barker Summit Sport and Recreation Stadium during the Lions’ thumping win over North Melbourne in the Adelaide Hills, played out in front of a crowd of 7329.

It sent tongues wagging, but NSW is far from the only threat to South Australia.

Plenty in the industry appear to be thinking differently to McLachlan too.

When asked about Gather Round before his team’s clash on Saturday, Kangaroos coach Clarkson said: “It’s a wonderful buzz around the city and it’s great for the economy of South Australia, but it’d sort of be a shame if it was just locked in to one state,” he said on Fox Footy.

“It’s a challenge for the AFL because it’s been such a success here. It’s such a carnival atmosphere. It’s fantastic.

“We’re really looking forward to the game, but that will be a tough call for the AFL because when you have something as successful as it’s been in South Australia you want to retain it, but there’s plenty of other states that could do just as good a job I reckon.”

He said after the game the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and NSW should all be options.

Fagan was also surprisingly blunt when asked the question before the game: “The buzz around Adelaide. It (Gather Round) should stay.

“Probably should move around the country though.”

Wet fans still had the time of their lives in Mt Barker. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

The picturesque rural venue was a beauty. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

Longmire was a little more cheeky when asked in his post match press conference.

“It’d be hard to argue against the concept wouldn’t it,” he said.

“It’s been an absolutely resounding success for the game. You see it in the people walking around the street. The joint’s buzzing. It’d be wonderful in Sydney.”

West Coast star Tim Kelly also spoke in favour of Perth’s hosting credentials when speaking during the Eagles’ captains run.

“It’s such a great atmosphere. The town is buzzing,” he said.

“It’s great to get support for all AFL teams here in town. It would be brilliant to have this in Perth.”

Channel 7’s Ryan Daniels also used his newspaper column to call on WA Premier Marc McGowan to get the cheque book out and secure Gather Round for Perth.

Sport commentator Shane McInnes was also said on Channel 9 a fight is looming.

“Huge crowds and a bonanza for South Australian tourism is the best way to describe it,” he said.

“There is already a bit of a fight for where Gather Round goes from here. There’s already a bit of jostling for position. Peter Malinauskas has been on the media trail all week promoting what South Australia has to offer.

“Places like Queensland and Tassie are putting their hands up.”

After seeing the roaring success the event has been this weekend, it would be a dagger in the heart of South Australia to see it disappear any time soon.

Originally published as ‘It’d be a shame’: Plot for AFL’s Gather Round would be dagger in Adelaide’s heart