AFL Magic Round 2023: Jimmy Bartel pushes the case for regional centres to host matches

Former Cats champ Jimmy Bartel would like country grounds used for AFL’s Magic Round, and one regional mayor has put his up hand to host.

Three-time Geelong premiership player and Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel has pushed the case for the AFL’s Magic Round to be played at regional venues in Victoria and southern NSW.

The Magic Round concept of an additional round being added to the AFL fixture has been copied from the National Rugby League where one state or city is chosen to host all games.

Sydney, Adelaide and Perth have been floated for the AFL’s inaugural Magic Round next year.

But Bartel said there would be more long term benefits to the game by choosing regional venues following Covid shutdowns of the 2020-21 country footy seasons and devastating weather events, floods and bushfires.

Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey plays in a practice match in Wangaratta in 2020. Picture: Michael Klein

Ballarat already hosts AFL matches for premiership points, but other Victorian centres including Albury, Bendigo, Shepparton, Moe, Mildura, Warrnambool and Wangaratta have occasional practice matches.

The same scenario applies to the Riverina at Wagga and Narrandera.

FIRST HOUR PODCAST | Where should the AFL's magic round should be played in 2023, James Sutherland on sport's sponsor battle, MVRC CEO Michael Browell.

Sportsday in 30 minutes: https://t.co/xoVjaNviDc

— Sportsday (@SportsdayRadio) October 19, 2022

Speaking on 3AW on Wednesday night, Bartel said: “Regional football has suffered.

“You get that love affair with the game back, you stay connected.

“We’ve got to remember sometimes it’s the peoples’ games and it holds communities together.

“It’s an extra round, a free hit for the AFL.”

Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Bartel said he had played practice matches for the Cats at Lavington Sports Ground in Albury and Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve facilities were to scratch.

“They’ve all done it pretty tough the last couple of years with weather events and also Covid,” Bartel said.

One talkback caller said country areas “were sick of practice matches” and wanted the real deal of matches for premiership points.

Seventy years ago the VFL “National Day” to promote the game outside Melbourne with games played at Albury, Euroa and Yallourn.

Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees said his city’s premier ground would be ideal for Magic Round.

“We’ve had practice matches in the past,” he said.

“But it would be great to have a match for four premiership points at one of these grassroots areas where a lot of the AFL’s great players have come from,” he said.

“It would be a wonderful opportunity for Wangaratta and the neighbouring shires.

“We’ve got the facility to host one for sure.”

An announcement on the 2023 AFL Magic Round is due next week.

Originally published as AFL Magic Round 2023: Jimmy Bartel pushes the case for regional centres to host matches