TIME TO MAKE A MARK
Cairns league’s push to edge out Townsville and Mackay as preferred destination for professional clubs
THE rugby league heartland of the Far North is rolling out the red carpet to the AFL in a bid to lure teams to play and stay for the remainder of the 2020 season. From AFL Cairns hierarchy to grassroots fans, there has never been a better time for the AFL to muscle in on league’s terrority than now. Cheering on the AFL is the next generation of players and fans (from left) Brady Kreeck, 10, Tobey Koch, 12, Daniel Cook, 11, and Nash Courtney, 11.
AFL Cairns is positioning the city as a contender to host professional teams for the remainder of the season.
League managing director Gary Young said the Far Northern centre had a number of edges over competing cities.
“We have no doubt Mackay and Townsville will be putting their hands up,” Mr Young said.
“But Mackay does not have the off-field facilities that AFL teams demand.
“Cazalys is certainly capable of hosting games — we have had eight premiership matches so far.
“Our lights are broadcast level; we are set up and ready to go, it would require jut tinkering around the edges.
“There would be not much extra expense for teams to come up here.”
This week AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said he was considering basing Victorian clubs and their entourages in the Far North. He confirmed Cairns was an option to host games.
A formal request from the AFL has yet to materialise but likely teams to consider relocating would be clubs that have not yet set up camp in the sunshine state.
St Kilda, North Melbourne, Essendon, Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Carlton are already operating from Queensland hubs. Mr Young said it would be a coup if Cairns could host Collingwood, Hawthorn or Geelong.
“It would be huge for the region if we could get any of those clubs,” he said.
“AFL Cains would be doing everything it can to make sure they have the facilities they need.
“Some time ago we gave a list of the types of accommodation available in Cairns, from hotels to resorts and apartments; if you have a family come up, you’d want apartment-style accommodation.”
He considered the flow-on exposure for junior Cairns clubs as priceless.
“The opportunities are fantastic for junior, senior and women’s teams; to watch (the pros) go about their training is an experience you can’t buy,” Mr Young said.
“It is very exciting for the competition.”
AFL Cape York director Rick Hanlon said up to 95 indigenous and Torres Strait islander students at Cape York House would have a rare chance to see how the pros operate.
“We would tap into those clubs; it would be an opportunity for growth in the game,” Mr Hanlon said.
“The students would see high-performance training, we would try to engage the clubs to come and speak with our kids. We would be front and centre, that’s for sure.”
Cairns Saints junior co-ordinator Shane Liversidge said the educational opportunities extended beyond training.
“Our player’ skills are up there, the problem we have up here is professionalism,” Mr Liversidge said.
“The 14 to 18-year-old would really benefit from watching the pros.”
It was a sentiment shared by Cairns Hawks’ Jason Miller.
“It would be awesome if interactions between junior and senior players could happen; a positive role model always helps,” Mr Miller said.