AFL Gather Round set to remain in Adelaide until at least 2026

Sell out crowds and an economic windfall for South Australia has helped drive a decision to keep the Gather Round in Adelaide, but not everyone agrees.

The AFL has promised Sydney and Perth it will rotate the rights to Gather Round after its three-year contract with South Australia expires as the league brokered a lucrative deal with the state on Sunday.

The AFL confirmed the Herald Sun’s exclusive story on Sunday before the St Kilda-Collingwood game in a coup for the state that has delivered a perfect weekend of football.

Gillon McLachlan and SA premier Peter Malinauskas are hopeful of building stadiums in one or both of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine regions from next year.

The five-month lead-in to this year’s event meant there was no suitable oval in the Barossa but the AFL has already scouted 14 venues and can make a venue AFL-ready with a full year’s grace.

McLachlan’s dream is for an early weekend game at a venue that has a vast pavilion adjoining the stadium showcasing the best of the area’s 150 winemakers.

The departing chief executive would not disclose the terms of the deal but South Australia is estimated to have handed over $15 million for this year’s event.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan have done a deal for Gather Round to stay in South Australia until at least 2026. Picture: Paul Starick

If the AFL has been able to drive a strong financial bargain it could have extracted $50 million over the next three seasons that will go back into the coffers of clubs, players and the league.

But while McLachlan has locked in the event until 2026 he made clear New South Wales and West Australia would eventually have their turn at the event.

“I can tell you there is a commitment from both parties to invest in community facilities and other assets in Adelaide and out of the regions. I hope people understand that there needs to be a level of tenure for that. And then also know that New South Wales Government, West Australian Government and that we will be taking this on the road after that, and the premier knows that as well,” he said.

McLachlan thanked the AFLPA for agreeing to approve Gather Round into the future given the league is still in the process of a review over the initiative.

Malinauskas said he was unapologetic about using the state’s major events budget to bring Gather Round to the city and regions.

“The value of Gather Round to the SA economy has been proven. It is beyond dispute,” he said.

Gather Round at the Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

“There is a value there that the AFL brings economically to the state and they want to make sure they cover their costs too. We have had a pretty hard negotiation over the course of the last 72 hours.”

Malinkauskas believes that for all the brilliant advertising of the region this weekend the only way to truly show off the state’s best wineries is to host a game among them.

The AFL and State Government have committed to fund football facilities in the state as part of that agreement, with McLachlan asking Malinauskas to match the league’s commitment dollar-for-dollar at Friday’s business lunch.

The state and local governments contributed up to $2.5 million for the Mount Barker upgrade to allow that regional community to host Saturday’s North Melbourne v Brisbane game as the 50th AFL venue.

McLachlan said on Sunday the deal would involve both parties also committing to a community legacy fund to benefit local football clubs.

“South Australia really turned it on. Gather Round and all the activity across the state, the nine matches, the footy festival and the community football engagement has been some of the best days and events the AFL has ever delivered,” he said.

Fans at the match between the Brisbane Lions and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Hills. Picture: Getty

LEGENDS WANT GATHER ROUND TO GET AROUND

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, GWS board member Jimmy Bartel and Sydney coach John Longmire all believe the concept must rotate between the states.

And AFL legend Leigh Matthews said giving Adelaide and Port Adelaide an extra home game in what was now an uneven 23-match fixture was unfair in a game built on equalisation.

Clarkson said before his side’s defeat that he loved the concept but believed that, for the sake of development, states must share it around.

“It’s a wonderful buzzy atmosphere in the city. It would be a shame if it was locked down for one state,” he said.

“It will be a tough call for the AFL. But there are plenty of other states that could do just as good a job.”

Some high profile AFL voices believe the round should be shared.

He echoed Longmire’s call for his state to get its chance to show off its passion for footy.

“I think the concept, it would be hard to argue against the concept,” Longmire said. “It’s been an absolutely resounding success. It would be wonderful in Sydney. It is great to grow the game everywhere but if you can rotate something like this. You can’t rotate the grand final but wouldn’t it be great to take it on the road? It would be unreal.”

Geelong champion Bartel, now a GWS board member, told 3AW the league had to get real about investment across the nation.

“What is the ‘goal’ of Gather Round? If it’s to increase awareness of the game and introduce it to new people, then you have to move it around. If you’re truly investing in NSW, well the next one goes there.”

Matthews said as much as he enjoyed the concept, handing Adelaide and Port Adelaide that extra home game could be the difference between them making finals and missing out.