NT pitches its case for ‘Rioli country’ hub
The Northern Territory’s chief minister has urged the AFL to set up a football hub in Darwin.
The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister has urged the AFL to set up a football hub in Darwin that would be likely to enable players to take part in games while in quarantine.
Victoria’s coronavirus escalation continues to force the AFL to consider safeguarding the competition, with the league saying on Tuesday that all options were on the table.
In a letter seen by The Australian, Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s letter to the AFL was signed off with the cheeky message: “Bring the grand final to Rioli country.”
Gunner made clear to the AFL that despite the league setting up a Queensland hub, it should consider what the Northern Territory had to offer.
“G’day from the safest place in Australia,” he wrote.
There is a possibility of a Northern Territory hub for clubs while the AFL also shuttles Victorian teams through Western Australia playing West Coast and Fremantle.
The AFL is lobbying for permission for quarantined teams in Perth to be able to play while locked in quarantine.
AFL executive Andrew Dillon said “nothing is off the table” when it came to state hubs as Victorian coronavirus numbers reach worrying levels.
From July 18, Perth’s Optus Stadium will be allowed to have crowds of 60,000. WA Premier Mark McGowan is talking to the AFL on whether clubs could play while in 14-day quarantine.
McGowan said the hard border would have come down on August 8 but with Victoria’s coronavirus crisis that plan is now abandoned.
Crowds of 30,000 at Optus Stadium are allowed from this weekend on, but WA clubs will probably be trapped in Queensland for several more weeks if the hard border remains.
The Northern Territory government confirmed to The Australian it was still keen on a hub that would see players free to be part of the community after a 14-day quarantine period.
Melbourne are keen to play their one contracted game in the Northern Territory, with the AFL open to a hub that could also involve both Queensland teams.
Those quarantine protocols remain in place until July 17, but could be lessened, with full crowds an enticing option.
The Demons have played West Coast in Perth in Round 1, so would be the perfect team to move into a Darwin hub to play the Queensland teams.
Teams might also be able to quarantine while also training away from the public and playing AFL games while in that protocol.
Gunner said in the letter to the AFL that the offer of a hub was still on the table.
“My government is still very interested and well-placed to welcome the AFL community during the 2020 season,” he said.
“Footy without fans is barely footy at all. In the Territory, fans would be able to attend games as long as physical distancing and hygiene measures are in place.
This would be of economic benefit to both the AFL and the Territory.
“A half-full TIO Stadium or Traeger Park is always better than a completely empty MCG.”
Herald Sun
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