AFL LOVING IT UP HERE
GOLD Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew says the club would “absolutely” be keen to play an AFL premiership fixture in Townsville following their successful pre- season clash.
The Suns were in brilliant touch at Riverway Stadium on Sunday as they thumped the Geelong Cats 12.13 ( 85) to 3.11 ( 29) in front of more than 3000 supporters.
There were question marks over the playing surface after the region copped a drenching in the week leading up to the game, but it came up a treat with both AFL teams voicing their approval. Sunday’s pre- season clash was Townsville’s first taste of elite AFL action since 2015, but the Suns have already agreed to bring an official premiership fixture to the city in either 2019 or 2020.
Riverway Stadium already has a strong reputation as cricket venue, having hosted regular international cricket including England’s final Ashes warm- up match late last year. And Dew, a two- time premiership player with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, said the Townsville playing surface was as perfect for football as any he had seen during his AFL career.
“That’s first- class out there. I’ve seen a lot of footy grounds in my time and that’s spot on,” Dew said after the match. “It’s a fantastic surface. “We’ve been here for a couple of days, which is great to spend some time up in North Queensland. Absolutely, we’ll come back any day here.”
Geelong assistant coach Matthew Knights said the conditions in Townsville were ideal for their pre- season preparations and he agreed the venue could host an AFL premiership fixture.
“When we walked out, the first thing the players said was the surface was outstanding and the conditions were great,” Knights said. “I think the surface is obviously the first and foremost because the players and the personnel are the ones we’ve got to take care of so that’s first- class.
“We felt we were at a perfect ground to prepare for Round 1. It’s also a great size ground, so ticks all round there. It was just a great venue for us to be at.”