REGIONAL AFL VITAL

Q Cazalys Stadium has hosted an AFL game every year since 2011 but there is a chance this year’s Gold Coast victory over North Melbourne could be the last for some time, with the Suns committed to taking a game to Townsville next year or 2020 and no Victorian club secured to move games. How important is taking elite content to North Queensland? A I think there is a good opportunity to cement AFL content in Cairns for the long term. The Gold Coast Suns, the AFL, AFL Queensland and AFL Cairns have had ongoing discussions about what that may look like. The Suns have had productive conversations with Cairns Regional Council and others. There are more opportunities for AFL content these days, as well as premiership matches, when you look at AFLW or preseason games coming to regional areas. We think it is really important to have AFL content in regional Queensland, in particular North Queensland. Cairns, Townsville and now Mackay have the potential to host games. The long-term plan is being worked on now. It is all driven by the clubs as well as the guys at AFL headquarters who look after the fixturing. From the clubs, it needs to be commercially viable. The Gold Coast Suns are committed to having a strong presence in North Queensland. I think you will find there will be a longer-term view in terms of content for North Queensland in the next few years. From an AFLQ perspective, games in North Queensland are key to the growth and relevance of our game.