AFL boss keen for more fun in the sun

THE AFL’s love affair with Queensland is set to continue long after the final siren of the historic Gabba grand final.

Thrilled with their extended time in the Sunshine State, Victorian clubs are exploring the logistics of starting their 2021 pre-season campaigns in Queensland while the code is also keen to establish an answer to the NRL’s Magic Round to build on the momentum of a season like no other.

The “Footy Frenzy” could see a condensed schedule of games played in Queensland next season in much the same way that Magic Round captivated NRL fans with a blockbuster weekend of matches at Suncorp Stadium last year.

The Footy Frenzy could include a week-long festival of AFL with games every day of the week spread between Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns after the three centres stepped up as saviours of the season when the coronavirus crisis forced the code to abandon the spiritual heartland of Melbourne.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan would not be drawn on speculation of a Queensland festival but said the code was keen to capitalise on the buzz around the sport in the rugby league heartland.

“We feel like we’ve built some great momentum up here so we’re obviously keen to capitalise on that,” he said.

“The clubs that have been based on the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast have been extremely impressed with the facilities.”

The AFL has poured about $70 million into the Queensland economy by relocating hundreds of players and personnel while the grand final weekend is set to generate another $20 million.