A new AFL club based in the Northern Territory could become a reality in the next decade, playing in a new 20,000-capacity stadium in Darwin that would cost up to $735 million.
AFL legends Andrew McLeod and Nathan Buckley, along with former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, are part of a working group exploring this possibility.
The case, filed on Thursday, proposes a new stadium could be built in Darwin’s city center within the next seven to 10 years, with costs estimated between $700 million and $735 million.
This development would allow a Northern Territory team to join the AFL following Tasmania’s entry in 2028. The proposal also includes improvements to Traeger Park in Alice Springs and improvements to Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
Pictured: One of the proposed designs for the new stadium in Darwin that will form part of the Northern Territory’s bid to become the AFL’s 20th team.
A second concept of what the new stadium could look like if the bid is given the go-ahead by the AFL
The Bombers’ Irving Mosquito is shown celebrating after kicking his first goal on his debut in Darwin.
A working group, made up of representatives from the Northern Territory Government, the Northern Territory AFL and leaders from both industry and the AFL, is leading the initiative.
Chaired by AFLNT president Sean Bowden and Northern Territory Minister of Sport Kate Worden, the group was established in 2021 to explore the feasibility of introducing an AFL club to the Northern Territory.
Bowden said the proposal would unlock a rich vein of talented players for the league.
“We want to see a dozen new Cyril Riolis, we want to see half a dozen new Andrew McLeods,” he said.
“It will make the AFL a truly national competition.”
AFL legend Nathan Buckley, pictured with partner Brodie Ryan, has backed the Northern Territory bid.
The Northern Territory tender task force believes the equipment could be up and running in less than a decade, just after Tasmania joins the competition.
North Melbourne is shown wearing their Indigenous jerseys for their match against the Gold Coast Suns in Darwin in 2022.
Demetriou oversaw the competition’s expansion from 16 teams to 18 during his time as AFL boss and said expansion to the NT could open new avenues into Asia and beyond.
‘There are many things I like about him. “The NT has a great football history, a lot of great footballers have come from the region and it would be great for that area to have an AFL presence,” he said.
“I am passionate about domestic competition, two new teams have arrived under my watch and with Tasmania it would be great to explore if there is room for another team.
“The NT is the gateway to Asia and there is a lot of economic activity at the moment, so if you are looking to expand competition, there is a lot to offer.”
The NT is the gateway to Asia and there is a lot of economic activity at the moment, so if you are looking to expand competition, there is a lot in your favor.
Former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou
The initiative considers Darwin’s small population and weather patterns, suggesting Alice Springs could host early season games due to Darwin’s wet season.
A strategic business case predicts the club would generate 260 jobs and an annual economic boost of $116 million for the territory.
Although a Tasmanian team will join the AFL in 2028 with no signs of further expansion, the NT working group is advocating for the 20th license when it becomes available, estimating a timeline of seven to 10 years for the club’s creation.
The first stadium plans aim to provide a development plan, highlighting the need for government support for both club operations and stadium infrastructure to ensure financial viability.
The business case prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers outlines several scenarios for the club, despite a projected annual shortfall of $7.8 million between expenses and revenues.
It notes the high rate of AFL participation in the Territory and the fact that it hosts three AFL games annually under an ongoing agreement.
NT Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Ireland supports the proposal and emphasizes the potential to increase tourism, business growth and greater liveability in the NT, especially through supporting smaller businesses on holiday days. game.
However, the NT’s bid faces competition.
Norwood, a South Australian National Football League (SANFL) team, has made a strong case for joining the AFL, and there is also interest from a team in Canberra to enter the competition.
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said club presidents opposed a 19-team league mainly because it would require a weekly bye.
Liam Ryan of the Eagles takes some selfies with a large crowd of fans in Alice Springs
The Demons’ Christian Petracca also enjoyed taking time to meet fans in Darwin.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon acknowledged the league plans to expand to 20 teams eventually, but is not worried about the implications of having an extra bye week due to the odd number of teams.
“I’m not that worried about a break and 19 teams, but the story of the VFL towards the AFL is that it has grown,” Dillon said recently on ABC Radio.
‘From 1987 we went from 12 teams to 14 and now we are 18, soon we will be 19. There will be growth, but it is just a matter of doing it at the right time.
‘We have a lot of work to do in Tassie and that is the real focus at the moment.
“It’s about making sure that if there’s a No. 20 team, there’s a market for it and they want that team.”
All current club captains were asked in pre-season if the AFL added another team after Tasmania, where would it be?
The majority responded with Darwin (8), while a third team from Western Australia and Northern Queensland had four in favor each.
Hawthorn’s James Sicily said “we’re good” with 19.
