AFL CEO flags game’s untapped potential in the Pacific during visit to Far North

Code-swapping superstars like Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau may be long gone but the AFL’s top boss says the game still has a pathway for Pacific Island talent to prosper – and it could start in Cairns.

The AFL's top boss Andrew Dillon has visited the Far North as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations this week. Picture: Samuel Davis

Code-swapping superstars like Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau may be long gone but the AFL’s top boss says the game still has a pathway for Pacific Island talent to prosper – and it could start in Cairns.

Andrew Dillon visited the Far North on Monday as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations taking in the AFLQ Schools Cup featuring talent from some of Queensland’s most remote Indigenous communities.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon took in action from the AFLQ Schools Cup featuring primary school students from some of Queensland's most remote Indigenous communities, including the Northern Peninsula Area and Torres Strait. Picture: Samuel Davis

And while growing the game in regional Queensland remained a high priority, the league’s CEO acknowledged new and exciting markets bursting with talented prospects lay beyond the turquoise waters of the Torres Strait.

“We just need to provide opportunities and the more people we get playing at that grassroots level, the more we’ll get into our talent pathway programs and onto AFL lists,” Dillon said.

“There are soon to be 19 teams and competition for spots on lists is fierce.

“But the more diverse a range of talent that we can attract to the game the better it is as well.”

PNG AFL star Hewago Oea of the Gold Coast Suns kicks during the round 15 AFL match against the Hawthorn Hawks at Heritage Bank Stadium. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

PNG-born and raised Gold Coast Suns star Hewago ‘Ace’ Oea served as a prime example of the untapped potential based in the Pacific, Dillon said.

“‘Ace’ is on the Gold Coast’s list and he’s a great story,” he said.

“That’s a case of incredible determination and application by him and also a lot of work and investment by the Suns.”

Former Gold Coast Suns star Karmichael Hunt famously kicked a goal after the siren to defeat the Richmond Tigers at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns in 2012. Picture: Stewart McLean

Cairns won’t host any premiership matches in 2024 but the city is ideally positioned to secure a long-term partnership with an AFL club in the near future, Dillon said.

“The stadium (Cazalys) is fantastic and we have had games up here in the past,” he said.

“Moving into a new broadcast rights cycle there will be opportunities for us to have the men’s elite game play in different venues across the country.

“But those conversations need to be led by the clubs.

“It’s just a matter of having the conversations and if a club is interested in moving a game from their home, know what the vision is behind doing that.

“For me, it’s not just about the club coming up and playing a game. It’s about having really deep roots in the community.”

During his visit Dillon also toured AFL Cape York House’s boys and girls facilities, based in Portsmith and Redlynch.

Originally published as AFL CEO flags game’s untapped potential in the Pacific during visit to Far North