AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon tells Darwin to start building for potential team push

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has given his strongest indication yet that Darwin could host its own team by imploring the NT to get building now on a new stadium to give itself a chance when the times comes.

Layout of potential sites for a Darwin City Stadium.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has toured the potential sites for a new AFL stadium in Darwin advising the Northern Territory to start work now to put itself in position for a team when the opportunity arises.

An NT based taskforce has been campaigning for the 20th licence for the past few years with a CBD stadium seen as the crown jewel in those plans.

Their entry will follow the Tasmanian Devils, which Dillon suggested still had work to do before their bid became an unconditional one.

It comes as the Gold Coast Suns hosts two matches at its Top End home away from home, including the first match of Sir Doug Nicholls round against Hawthorn.

AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden and AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon at the launch of the Sir Doug Nicholls round in Darwin ahead of the AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and Hawthorn. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Territory has picked up in its ability to host elite sporting content in recent years with now three AFL matches, including one in Alice Springs, and the AFLW Dreamtime game.

The NT Taskforce released a map of 10 potential sites for the stadium near the CBD in March, with Dillon saying every major city should have a stadium it can be proud of.

“We’re working with the Tasmanian government on a transformational project for Hobart and any capital city deserves a big stadium,” he said.

“If we can find the right site and get it going then it would be great for Darwin and a whole host of events including concerts and other sports.

Fans at the Gold Coast Suns v Western Bulldogs 2025 AFL match at TIO Stadium. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We went down to the harbour and looked at the sites, it’s a spectacular place and now it’s about decisions and conversations with state governments about how we get it built.

“Work has to be done now for there to be an opportunity, the work is being done where it needs to be so if an opportunity does arise they’re well placed.”

Darwin is seen by many as a sentimental favourite for that 20th licence but a mountain of work must be completed including finances toward a stadium as well as attracting talent that wants to stay.

Footy is way of life in the NT with the rates of participation per capita the highest of anywhere in Australia, while female participation 40 percent, higher than anywhere else.

A render of the Proposed AFL Stadium in Darwin.

“It’s incredible, the rates of participation per capita are the highest of anywhere in Australia,” Dillon said.

“The participation is the bedrock of the community and seeing the growth here is what we want to see.

“The absolute key is having the finances to be able to sustain the ups and downs that any team will have within the AFL.

“Then it’s about the ability to attract talent, as in players and staff, and then retain them, and then it’s about infrastructure like the stadium, training ground and admin that is important too.”

Karl Amon, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree Stephen Michael and Joel Jeffrey at the launch of the Sir Doug Nicholls round in Darwin ahead of the AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and Hawthorn. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Dillon said bids for a 20th licence would be assessed following the completion of the Tasmanian Devils push for the 19th, which at this stage still has work to do.

“In Tasmania by force of nature and the power of work done by their taskforce secured we have a conditional license,” Dillon said.

“There’s still a bit of work for us to do to have an unconditional license, but that’s a big focus for us at the moment.

“Once the 19th team is up and established we will look to grow at some stage and the people in the NT want to be as close to the front as they can be.”

Despite the entire AFL Commission and Dillon visiting Darwin for a week, it is understood nor formal meeting was held with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro nor NT Government Minister.

Minister for People, Sport and Culture Jinson Charls however did confirm he spoke with Commission members and Dillon at AFL functions at the weekend.

“While I haven’t formally met with the AFL Commission during their time in Darwin, I have had the opportunity to connect with Commission members and CEO Andrew Dillon at the Gold Coast game last weekend,” Minister Charls said.

“I want to thank the Commission for their continued support of AFL in the Northern Territory.

“Their presence here highlights the importance of our region to the future of the game, and that is further demonstrated by the announcement of the AFLW Dreamtime match being held in Darwin in August.”

There’s plenty of support for the Territory push, with the NT born players at the Gold Coast Suns among those in support of both a team and a stadium.

Daniel Rioli has been on the biggest stage of them all with three premiership titles to his name but said anything to grow the game in the Territory would be special.

Gold Coast Suns player Daniel Rioli models the club's 2025 Darwin/Larrakia guernsey for the round nine and 10 games in Darwin. Photo: Gold Coast Suns

“It would be awesome to have a stadium, anything to grow the game would be,” he said.

“Everyone there loves their footy, it’s a footy state so to have a facility here would be special for our kids, because we have some special talent here.

“It’s a very exciting time and I’m keen to see what happens, but it’s something I’m pushing for.”

Ben Long said it would present a great chance to grow the game for the next generation in the Territory.

“It would be quite special for us to have a stadium and hopefully one day we will have a team too, which would be quite great,” Long said.

Ben Long of the Suns in action during the 2025 AFL Round 09 match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Western Bulldogs at TIO Stadium Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It’s all about the young, upcoming talent in the AFL and AFLW, it would open up opportunities for kids coming through to see it in Darwin.”

Joel Jeffrey has cemented his spot in the Suns defence this season and said a new stadium would grow the sport that means so much in the Top End.

“A new stadium would be unreal, if we can do that it would be great for the game, TIO is a great venue but to have another would be unreal,” he said.

“We all grew up watching AFL games in Darwin with friends and family and we wanted to be out there ourselves, there’s nothing better than being out there on your home ground.

“Getting to run out there and look over my shoulder to see my family is something I still get goosebumps about and will hold in my heart for the rest of my life.”

Originally published as AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon tells Darwin to start building for potential team push