Northern Territory set to join Tasmania in bid for new AFL licence

Northern Territory is set to join Tasmania in bidding for an AFL licence. Could it work? Have your say on who should be the league’s next expansion club.

Cyril Rioli is one of the great success stories out of the footy mad Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory is plotting a shock bid to join Tasmania in the race for an AFL license.

AFL NT is set to unveil a 100-page report, which has been funded by the NT government, by the end of March exploring the viability of a 19th or 20th AFL franchise.

AFL NT officials are eyeing the establishment of team by 2030 that would be dominated by indigenous players and play out of Darwin and Alice Springs.

A driving factor in the push to secure an AFL club is the region’s alarming drop off in draftees.

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Cyril Rioli is one of the great success stories out of the footy mad Northern Territory.

Representation peaked at about 30 AFL players 10 years ago, but that has since dropped by about 50 per cent as the likes of Relton Roberts, Troy Taylor, Shane Thorne and Zephaniah Skinner did not last at Victorian clubs.

While elite talents such as Cyril and Daniel Rioli, Zac Bailey and Brandon Parfitt will always get selected, the region wants its prospects to stay in contention deeper in the draft.

Those stars could return home as franchise players under the radical plan.

It was expected that as many as 20 or 25 Territorians would be on the list of its AFL club.

Unlike the Tasmanian Taskforce, which is campaigning for an expedited entry to the AFL, the NT is aware it will require about 10 years to get up to scratch.

AFL NT chief executive Stuart Totham was tight-lipped yesterday, but confirmed: “The report’s complete and we’re looking to release at the end of the month”.

Relton Roberts struggled to adjust to AFL life.

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The feasibility study was commissioned by AFL NT, funded by the NT government and completed by marketing company Bastion Collective.

Sources close to the document said it tackled three key issues: what the financial model, facilities and talent pool would look like for the prospective club.

Options including upgrading Darwin’s 12,500-seat TIO Stadium or building a new venue were discussed.

AFL NT is acutely aware that, with retention a key issue at Gold Coast, it would be hard convincing players to relocate to Darwin.

Last year’s AFL NT restructure was geared towards arresting the slump in draftees from the region and the introduction of a local AFL club would dramatically aid that cause.

While the region’s climate small population would be a concern, in addition to the strong indigenous presence there are also several large mining businesses located north.

The report did not address whether the NT should be granted a new license or take over an existing license.

Zac Bailey has made his home at the Brisbane Lions. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

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The AFL says it is committed to Gold Coast’s survival, however the expansion club now has a strong footprint in the NT.

Gold Coast will host St Kilda at TIO Stadium in Round 11 this year, which is the first of a four-year commitment to play games in Darwin.

The Suns were last year granted unfettered access to Darwin prospects for the next three years through their expanded talent academy.

The inclusion of both NT and Tasmanian teams would complete a truly national 20-club competition for the first time, eradicating the need for a weekly bye.

With Tasmania expected to be included this decade, other options being canvassed at league headquarters to retain an even number of clubs include introducing a third South Australian or West Australian club.

Originally published as Northern Territory set to join Tasmania in bid for new AFL licence