COAST’S AFL HUB WINNER
Interstate clubs set to take over Glitter Strip resorts ahead of season reboot next month
THE Gold Coast is tipped to play host to a mini-hub of four interstate AFL clubs as the league looks to reboot its season under coronavirus restrictions. The Bulletin understands the clubs – West Coast, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and Adelaide – will take over the Royal Pines and Palm Meadows golf resorts, where they will reside for several weeks and play matches against the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions.
Suns CEO Mark Evans last night could not confirm the season reboot but said: “We have certainly let them know the resorts here would be perfect for their needs, with proximity to Metricon and numerous ovals.”
THE Gold Coast is on the cusp of saving the AFL in 2020 with two city luxury golf resorts earmarked to host interstate clubs and help reboot the season.
It is proposed four AFL clubs will relocate to live together in “quarantine hubs” on the Gold Coast – at Palm Meadows and RACV Royal Pines – to kickstart a season halted by the coronavirus crisis, the Bulletin can reveal.
It would be a huge win for tourism and accommodation on the Coast when it’s needed the most.
Adelaide, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and West Coast will take over Gold Coast golf resort complexes from late this month or early June, it is understood from sources.
The AFL is hoping to return to the field by early June.
Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane said: “If the Gold Coast lands this it will be one of the biggest tourism wins the Coast has ever had.”
“I really hope it happens,” he said.
Suns CEO Mark Evans would not confirm the clubs will use the luxury resorts, but said he had been spruiking the Coast.
“We would work with the AFL on hosting teams in the region in the hub model and this could quickly be turned around for teams that want to come here,” he said.
“We have certainly let them know the resorts here would be perfect for their needs, with proximity to Metricon and numerous ovals that could house their club training.
“Plus the weather is a huge factor.’’
The Palm Meadows and Royal Pines complexes are located close to Metricon Stadium at Carrara, the headquarters of the Suns.
It’s expected the four teams due to hit the city will play against each other as well as Brisbane and the Suns to help fill out the season sensationally halted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s been reported AFL teams based in the resorts will be under strict conditions, but allowed to play golf. The complexes will be temporarily unavailable to the public.
Previously, the AFL was considering housing all 18 AFL clubs in one place before matches could resume.
Without quarantine hubs, players would have to abide by 14-day quarantine requirements after taking part in matches interstate.
It’s expected the AFL will make a public announcement about the future of the season and the Gold Coast relocation today.