Cazalys can call tune without paying piper
Decision pending on hosting elite AFL matches in the Far North
OVER the last decade money has been the biggest driver of bringing elite AFL games to Cazalys Stadium and in 2020, that will be no different.
But, on the positive side for FNQ, the number required to land games this time around will be much smaller than ever before.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan this week confirmed Cairns was an option to host games as hundreds of players, teams and staff will set up camp in the state to finish the season.
AFL Cairns hopes to be told next week if it will get a game or a hub in FNQ, but has no certainty about when the decision will be made.
Games in rounds nine to 12 are expected to be released next week.
Elite AFL games came to Cairns every year between 2011 and 2018, with the Western Bulldogs and Richmond both moving home games north, with local stakeholders having to “buy” a game each year.
Tourism and Events Queensland, AFL Cairns and Cairns Regional Council would all pitch in to satisfy the clubs’ needs and they are likely to have to do the same in 2020, with the money going to the AFL this time, but at a much lower cost than before.
“The money will be for broadcast, to offset the other costs, but not physically buying a game, as we have done in previous years,” AFL Cairns boss Gary Young said.
“Footy clubs will not get the money from this deal, as Richmond and the Western Bulldogs did when they came up previously, it will be the AFL making sure they have the costs covered as much as they can. It will be cost recovery, it is a different reason for it all now.”
As of Thursday afternoon, council officials were yet to hear from anyone in the AFL about games coming to Cairns this year.
The biggest issue for Cazalys Stadium landing a game or two is the relocation costs that are involved with the broadcast truck and gear to Cairns, with all the staff involved and equipment potentially being away from their homes for weeks.
“They need to weigh up if that is viable or not, and I am sure they will be discussing this in the bigger picture conversations,” Young said.
Cairns Regional Council councillor Max O’Halloran, who played at the highest level with Carlton and the Western Bulldogs, wants to see elite footy in FNQ, but has questions around how it would work.
“It is all good and well to get excited, but when you can get the money right, that is when it falls into place,” O’Halloran said.
“They all want money to come here but it is different circumstances now, trying to keep the season alive.
“We have all the accommodation, hotels and assets, to get one or two clubs in, but as far as games for broadcasting, I am not sure logistically we have the gear to do it at short notice like this.
“It would be too dear to broadcast just one game at what kind of price that is being thrown around.”
Young said he was dealing with AFLQ boss Dean Warren to land games and hubs in Cairns, with Warren then liaising with the heavy-hitters in Melbourne.
Young says FNQ ticks all the boxes. Clubs might base themselves in Cairns and fly out to play games elsewhere every week, instead of actual games at Cazalys.