The Tasmanian AFL bid now has real momentum behind it with 48,140 supporters now signed up on the ‘United We Stand’ website.
With a strong expectation that Tasmania will be added as the AFL’s 19th team, it also raises the question of including a twentieth.
So, if the AFL was to expand the competition to 20 teams then where should the 20th be based?
I’ve put together a shortlist of potential locations which you can see below.
Perth or Adelaide
While each of these cities already have two teams, they both have large waiting lists for memberships and could each potentially support a third team.
Going against this would be that third teams could dilute the current derbies and how much it would actually grow the game is debatable.
Third in Sydney
While it may seem too early to add a third team in Sydney, the possibility has been raised. But I don’t really think that a third team in Sydney is either realistic or necessary.
GWS played in their maiden grand final in 2019. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Second team in Brisbane?
As the only major city in Australia without a second team, the potential of a derby in Brisbane is interesting. The new oval stadium in Springfield can be upgraded in the future if there is the demand for it, so maybe a second team could be based there who could then be called the Springfield Isotopes.
Another option would be to share the Gabba with a team representing the eastern suburbs, perhaps to be known as the Moreton Bay Figs. This could bring together fans from Redcliffe in the north down to Redlands in the south who all live alongside the bay.
Sunshine Coast
With a population expected to reach 385,000 by 2026 and with a wider region breaking through the 400,000 barrier this place may be an AFL expansion location. However, the lack of a stadium would be a hurdle that would need to be overcome.
Although, as the largest city in Australia without a professional football team in any code, the Sunshine Coast is there for the taking if the AFL want it.
Newcastle
The Hunter region around Newcastle has a population of over 600,000 people and would be able to provide a close rival for both Sydney teams if they can build a new stadium. This has the advantage of increasing interest in NSW without cannibalising either of the current teams in Sydney.
Canberra
For similar reasons to Newcastle, the nation’s capital could also be suitable for an AFL expansion team with the added benefit of already having a stadium. But the line from the AFL is that the Giants are Canberra’s team and there are no plans to change this.
Auckland
The city of Auckland has a large population but a very low participation rate and very little history or interest in the sport. But with 1.6 million people and a combined market of five million in New Zealand there is clear growth potential and you can just see the dollar signs in Gillon McLachlan’s eyes.
Riverina
This area might not even be on the radar of most fans. But why not?
The North Central region of Victoria around Bendigo has a population of 250,000 which is larger than the 225,000 people in greater Hobart. The population around the Albury-Wodonga region meanwhile comes to 200,000 which exceeds the catchment area of Launceston.
With similar population metrics to Tasmania and with its high participation rate, the Riverina might have the ability to host an AFL team. They would need to build two new stadiums, but what a great way to promote the region alongside it’s growth potential if opened up to Very Fast Rail.
Where to next?
It’s difficult to know what the AFL might be thinking, but for me it’s a toss-up between a second Brisbane team and one in Auckland.
New Zealand is the biggest new market, but the NRL and the A-League both have their eyes on adding a second team in Brisbane in each of their respective leagues and it wouldn’t surprise me if the AFL follow suit. Both locations could also be relocation options as well.
If the AFL were to relocate the Suns to Brisbane it would maintain their presence in Queensland while Brisbane itself is soon expected to grow to three million people. As speculation swirls around the future of the Titans maybe the AFL will start to have similar ideas.
So, maybe the 20th side will be in Auckland and a second Brisbane side could happen if the Suns are relocated there to create a new derby like the ones that all the other major cities have.
But as I said, who knows what the AFL might be thinking?
Robey
Guest
Tasmania and Norwood make sense. Norwood are arguably the best club outside of the AFL and have a huge rivalry with Port Adelaide already. They have the funds, a huge following, The Parade in Norwood is one of Australia's leading shopping precinct and would have no problems in attracting large sponsors like Coopers, Wolff Bass etc.
Zaco_
Roar Rookie
Nobody asked
Zaco_
Roar Rookie
Lmao I watched Japan Play football haha they even have their own league
Zaco_
Roar Rookie
My Ideas would be to Have a 3rd Perth Team up in Joondalup and maybe rebuild the Stadium up there, I would see big support up in the Northern suburbs or make a City Metro team either playing at Optus or playing at the WACA when it’s redeveloped. A 3rd Adelaide Team is likely and unlikely because of the amount of support of Footy in Adelaide and could see a 3rd team but the population is a bit small and may not be able to support any team just yet but if there were maybe a Norwood/Sturt team to be based in the Eastern Suburbs. Having a 3rd team in Sydney would be cool and could support a team maybe in North Sydney? But since Rugby is still bigger in NSW it could take time for a 3rd team to play. A 2nd team In Brisbane sounds good but just like I said for Sydney it won’t be able to support a 2nd team for another 10 to 15 years as its a big, big Rugby City but it might work having a team in Springfield but however the Lions are gonna Have there Training Ground at the location so I don’t think The Lions would want them to play there so maybe a team up in the North side of the River maybe playing at Brisbane exhibition Stadium or something. Having a Sunshine Coast team is brilliant by relocating the Suns there maybe? But as you said it needs a new stadium and more population but I guess Geelong is like that so yeah who cares. I don’t see a Newcastle team any time soon cos I don’t think it’s a Football market yet and has little to no Proper Ovals or Cricket Grounds unless you use some local ground or build one. Canberra is a no brainer, we need an AFL team in our Capital as the Giants has Built a big Football Fanbase so maybe relocating the Giants could work or an expansion. I like your idea of having an AFL team in Auckland and would be cool to see Kiwis watching our sport over in Australia but would take along time for an actual big crowd to rock up in a stadium, if they were in the Finals expect maybe just a normal near packed stadium then fully packed stadium.
Penster
Roar Guru
You're responding 5 months later. Man of the moment UKRL. Who effing cares about AFL on the international stage, I have zero interest in an international comp, find me an Aussie Rules supporter who does. That's why it is successful, it's why we attend. Your argument that something crap is only better than something that doesn't exist is pretty funny tho. Global expansion help League or Union? Nope, killing it.
clipper
Roar Rookie
'Auckland is now described as a rugby league town' - that's the first and last time I will ever hear that. 'The other AFL states are going backwards' - WA and SA have seen attendances soar - how is that going backwards. As far as going into league territory, NSW is an all code state - league participation and attendance keeps falling, so it's really only QLD.
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Haha Japan lol, your more of a goose than I thought. There is no AFL in Japan or any other country for that matter.. So where are these AFL test matches against Japan?? Common son. Come up with the goods.. Because I know you have nothing. Australia plays England, PNG, NZ, Fiji, Samoa in Rugby League. Who does Australia play in AFL??
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
NRL rates way worse in the AFL states than AFL in the NRL states. Fibs? Whatya smokin' Willis? ----- There are 19 AF Leagues in Europe As well as Japan, Sth Africa Canada & USA
UKRL
Roar Rookie
AFL is New Zealand, can I laugh in anyones face that is even thinking that would have a chance. Kiwis laugh at AFL, exhibition matches for AFL fell so sharply there that they cancelled future matches there early with their tails between their legs.
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Rugby Union is broke in Australia and AFL rates so terribly in NSW and Qld the games are always shown on 7mate. Time to do some research instead of making thing up fibs. By the way when is AFL going to get first grade clubs in Canada, France England & New Zealand like Rugby League has done? Umm yep... Never.. Toronto Wolfpack Ottawa Aces
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Well considering Rugby League has 13 professional clubs outside Australia in 4 more countries to AFLs ZERO. Puts things into perspective at the huge difference in international interest in between the 2 sports.
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Keep blabbing to make yourself feel better penster. AFL fails miserably at any international attempts. Your sport still has a following in only one small populated country and nowhere else. And GWS average home crowds are down on previous years lol.. How's that AFL international cup going with no tv coverage or spectators that Australia doesn't compete in?? Rugby League kicks AFL out of the ballpark with global expansion. 2 new first grade teams in teams in Canada soon. Haha AFL still going nowhere.. :lau :silly: ghing:
Simon
Guest
AFL is actually the most vulnerable code. Victoria is growing, but all the other AFL states are going backwards. They need to go into league territory to survive. Nsw and qld are the biggest markets. They have more than half the nations population. V'landys know this and is going to take advantage of our superior demographics. On top of the two major league markets, rugby league has got NZ. AFL will never work there. Auckland is now described as a rugby league town. The games between Tonga and other countries staged in Auckland is something AFL will never have. Furthermore, there is a qld cup team based in PNG, a country with over 8 million people. Rugby league is the national religion there. Rugby league is therefore the biggest game in the region. You are talking about well over 20 million people across NSW qld, PNG and NZ, with league as the first preference. AFL will never have that. AFL is going to be pushed back into Victoria.
Ayden
Guest
New Teams 2021 to be Auckland Kiwis And Tasmania Devils
Penster
Roar Guru
UKRL keep telling yourself that. League is abysmal, the numbers don't lie.
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Haha your kidding Penster. Rugby League has 28 first grade clubs in 5 countries. AFL can't even grow outside Australia it is such a terrible game.
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Well forgot about a team outside Australia. AFL just isn't an internationally marketable sport. Cancelations of exhibition matches in NZ and a constant embarrassment with low interest in China more than proves that.
IAP
Guest
I am. Google it if you must. The case for Canberra is the same as the case for Tasmania - it's already a footy area. I've read time and time again on here that expanding the game is what matters; it doesn't matter if they lose money in the short term, it's about getting kids into the game, building a presence. If that's what matters then Newcastle, as the next biggest city in Australia without an AFL team (Canberra are represented by GWS) then Newcastle is the obvious choice.
Republican
Guest
.......NT have pulled out of the NEAFL. Cant agree with you re Auckland. NZ should never be allowed to leap frog any domestic options. They are a sovereign nation that have mostly contempt for our code and at best some curiosity. There are power brokers in NZ who have brazenly insisted that the branding of our indigenous code be compromised by dropping any 'Australian' reference if expansion were to be considered seriously. Nuff said.
Republican
Guest
North were sounding out Canberra for a while. I reckon they could have been a good fit for the nations capital.