World Footy News

LEFT: Karmichael Hunt kicks the Suns' match-winner after the siren against Richmond in Cairns in 2013

North Queenslanders have breathed a collective sigh of relief after the official release of the AFL draw for the 2014 season. After farewelling Richmond back in July it was unclear as to whether or not the region would host another AFL game. But, thankfully, these fears are now allayed.

Both Cairns and Townsville will be hosting matches next year, with an NAB Challenge match to be played at Tony Ireland Stadium in Thuringowa and a premiership match at the home of football in Far North Queensland, Cazalys Stadium.

With the revised format for the NAB Challenge, 18 matches will be played over 18 consecutive days in all parts of the country. On Sunday 23rd February the two Queensland teams, Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions, will play a state derby at the home of football in Townsville. The stadium is still in the process or organising AFL standard lighting for night or twilight matches, so the game will commence at 3.40pm to be played in full with sufficient light and also be slightly cooler playing conditions.

Last year’s pre-season NAB Challenge match between the Gold Coast Suns and North Melbourne sparked a frenzy of football in the northern city with junior carnivals and community events creating a Festival of Footy, firmly placing Townsville on the regional AFL map. This follow up match will be a great tonic, building further on the work of 2013.

Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said in an interview for the Townsville Bulletin that the match was expected to generate as much as $5 million in economic spin-offs for the city.

“The success of this year’s Gold Coast Suns/North Melbourne NAB Challenge match and the city’s partnership with local and State AFL officials to lobby for high profile games is paying off,” Cr Hill said.

"Clinching a Suns-Lions blockbuster with the reigning Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett and Jonathon Brown going head to head is a huge coup for Townsville. The match will attract people from all of the State and Tony Ireland Stadium will be packed to the rafters.”

Cazalys Stadium in Cairns will again host a twilight fixture with the Western Bulldogs playing a home game at the venue against the Gold Coast Suns. After Richmond declined to renew their 3 match contract after finally winning a game at the venue, there was much nervous speculation across the population as to whether or not another team would step in and continue what has become a tremendous drawcard match for Cairns. Enter the Bulldogs, a club once again on the rise, that will try and develop their own loyal following locally.

AFL Cairns President, Gary Young, provides a valuable insight into how these games benefit the region and why they are so important.

“Over the three years of premiership matches we have seen growth in all of the Key Performance Indicators used to assess the match by all partners: AFL Cairns, AFL, Cairns Regional Council and Tourism and Events Queensland.” The following table gives a clear demonstration of these indicators, showing raw figures and increases during the time of the last three matches between the Gold Coast Suns and Richmond at Cazalys Stadium:

Gary went further, adding that “the exposure and recognition from the premiership match in the local regional area now firmly places AFL [Australian Rules football] as one of the region’s elite sports, probably only second to Rugby League when combining participation and general following. Having an elite match has lifted the bar and, as usual, forced Rugby League to chase similar advances.”

“AFL [Australian Rules football] is leading the way locally in all aspects of development and promotion of sport. AFL Cairns has worked hard over a long period of time to lead the city and has been well supported by the AFL and the various levels of government. However, unlike most sports throughout the country, Cazalys Stadium has been developed with mainly AFLC funding and some highly appreciated assistance from the three levels of government.”

“Most other infrastructure has mainly government funding and maybe a contribution from a club, league or sports body. Cazalys would be one of very few freehold stadiums in Australia. My point is that we ‘punch above our weight’ and make things happen for our sport and city through strong partnerships.”

When asked if this new arrangement could be the catalyst for bigger and better things for Cairns, Gary stated that “The Bulldogs will become another partner of AFL Cairns through this agreement no matter how many matches it is for. We like to build relationships that have mutual benefit. We will have a relationship of varying strengths with three AFL Clubs, Gold Coast, Richmond and now Western Bulldogs. We also have a connection with GWS and Brisbane.”

“We aspire to having Cairns become a prominent part of the AFL. This engagement further reinforces our position in the national AFL landscape. Cairns can become a significant hub for the AFL as the best location to connect with their programs in the Asia Pacific. The eventual establishment of a NEAFL team here will be a part of that bigger picture and help tie it all together.”

“Tropical North Queensland is an ideal destination for training camps due to climate, attractiveness and cost. The Bulldogs commitment is another great step in helping Cairns develop as an AFL stronghold.”

Overall, this result is a great result for North Queensland. Not only is it reward for the hard work of many to make these events happen over many years, it is also another brick in the grandstand wall as the northern cities work to lay a platform for future NEAFL and AFL teams in the national league.

BELOW: Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns