The increased number of coronavirus cases in Victoria has AFL planners looking north

A Territory hub hosting AFL premiership matches has moved closer with Victoria’s coronavirus problems

First year Sun and early Brownlow Medal favourite Matthew Rowell celebrates a goal against the Fremantle Dockers last week. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

THE Northern Territory is ready and waiting to host an AFL hub, AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden said last night.

Bowden’s comments come after a chaotic day of Round 5 fixture changes due to the increased number of coronavirus cases in Victoria.

Of most interest to Bowden is the Gold Coast Suns, who may have to stay in Victoria after Saturday’s clash with Geelong due to the risk of carrying the virus back to Queensland.

Any Queensland based team that plays a team from Melbourne at home or away in recent days will be forced to quarantine for 14 days.

Gold Coast spokesman Craig Rowston said the Suns would be more than happy to play more premiership matches in the Top End.

“The Suns are proud of our NT partnership and we can’t wait to play our scheduled game in Darwin this season,’’ he told the NT News.

“We want to support Territory footy and would be happy to be part of an NT football hub and play games there if the AFL gives it the green light.

“When it comes to COVID-19, everyone knows the Territory is the safest place in Australia.

It’s also a fantastic part of the country, so clubs will enjoy being in an NT hub and the locals will love watching AFL games live in Darwin.’’

Rowston said his club had been working towards a series of matches in Darwin.

“In partnership with AFLNT and the NT Government, the Suns have been pushing the case for a Territory hub and for more live AFL games and we will keep doing that,” he said.

Bowden said his organisation had done all the preparatory work required to host the elite competition.

“We’ve gone through and ticked off the preparations required to host an AFL hub,’’ Bowden said.

“Obviously a lot of things are happening right now (restructured fixture) but we’re ready to host however many teams it takes to play a series of matches in Darwin.’’

Any Northern Territory hub will have to come out of the pockets of the AFL.

The NT Government said last week they were happy to host matches as long as taxpayers were not impacted.

Richmond’s scheduled clash with West Coast on the Gold Coast on Thursday night has been postponed to a later date, with the reigning premier now playing Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

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