Post-match review will again reveal game’s fate

DIFFERENT year, same philosophy on AFL games in Cairns from Tourism and Events Queensland.

The Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, will wait to find out the financial success of Saturday’s seventh annual AFL match in Cairns before opening discussions about bringing games back in 2018.

After 12 months of discomfort following the smallest ever AFL crowd in the Far North in 2016, there is an air of optimism around the concept after almost 1000 more punters were in attendance this year for the fixture.

Group executive Megan Saunders says TEQ will consider their next step.

TEQ, who fund the majority of the deal, will now analyse their data and outcomes to see if bringing an AFL club back to the region makes commercial sense.

“Tourism and Events Queensland acknowledges the role major sporting events play in the economy of tourism destinations such as Cairns,” Saunders said.

“As with any major event we look forward to seeing the post-event assessment.”

TEQ will spend the next few months reviewing the outcomes of this year’s event and considering if another game will be viable.

The AFL will then need to formalise and present a proposal to bring premiership matches back to Cairns in 2018.

Over the weekend, AFL general manager of clubs Travis Auld said he was in talks with the Queensland Government about returning AFL games to Cairns next year.

While a new deal is yet to be locked in, Cazalys Stadium appears poised to host at least one game in 2018, with two options being considered.

The Bulldogs may yet strike a fresh deal or, alternatively, the Suns could play a home game in Cairns while their home ground – Metricon Stadium – is used for the Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, Adelaide forward Eddie Betts will miss Sunday’s game against Collingwood after having his appendix removed. Betts became ill on Sunday and was rushed to hospital.

The Crows are also assessing scans on the fractured cheekbone of midfielder Brad Crouch.

The ladder leaders expect defender Jake Lever to return from a one-match absence because of a hamstring strain, assistant coach Matthew Clarke said.

“It will be with the doctors of course but, provided he recovers well, hopefully it will be just one (game),” Clarke said.