City could land major AFL team
IF CAIRNS is to land an AFL team for a hub for the rest of the home and away season, it is likely to be one of the premier clubs in Australia.
AFL Cairns officials have been working the phones tirelessly behind the scenes and believe if it all falls into place, the Hawks, Magpies and Cats would be the most likely to come to FNQ.
Even just one of the biggest and most powerful sporting clubs in our country being based in the region for an extended period would be remarkable for Cairns.
Local AFL officials are working on the theory that Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn are now progressing their way through the Western Australian hub, playing the two WA clubs, before soon being placed in Queensland.
Both the Cats and Magpies have another game in WA, next Sunday and Monday respectively, and will soon after make the move.
AFL Cairns president Gary Young believes the many clubs already based in southern Queensland are unlikely to move to a different hub, whereas Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn are yet to be placed – opening the door for a FNQ move.
“They are the logical ones as we are not going to get the clubs already situated on the Gold or Sunshine Coast,”
Young said. “There is only three teams, or around that number, who have not had confirmed where they are going, and if we got one or all three of them, we are talking the powerhouses of the competition.
“They are the big clubs with big reputations that would attract crowds and interest.
“It is a bit of speculation on our end, thinking clubs are already in a hub and looking for others, but there is some hope for us.”
Tourism and Events Minister Kate Jones again pushed Cazalys Stadium as a potential game venue when speaking on Saturday.
The Gabba is expected to host two to three matches a week with a crowd of 16,800 allowed into the ground, while Metricon on the Gold Coast will also pick up further games.
“This will mean that the stadiums here in Queensland will be getting an absolute work out, here at the Gabba and of course Metricon on the Gold Coast,” Jones said.
“We are in discussions in regards to the stadium in Cairns as well. It will be a footy feast for Queenslanders; we are so happy to keep the season going this year.”
AFL Cairns officials are hopeful of finding out their fate this week, hopefully landing a hub or a few games.
“I have not heard anything from the AFL just yet. They will be making their decisions; we have put forward our case and they know we are available,” Young said.
“When I spoke to AFLQ boss Dean Warren the other day, he said do not expect any news soon because there is just so much work to be done across this.”
Over the weekend, AFL fixtures boss Travis Auld said the league would likely release fixtures on a week-to-week basis.
The Hawks are now in Sydney before heading to Perth to start their WA hub stay.