Whether you visited the Norwood Food and Wine Festival as part of attending the thrilling Richmond-Saints game, ventured rurally into the Adelaide Hills and saw the much-hyped Harley Reid stamp his presence, or were able to catch the captivating double header on Saturday at the Adelaide Oval with both games decided by under two goals, the second iteration of Gather Round was spectacular viewing and a resounding success.
As fans from all over the country flocked to the City of Churches, the state became a real melting pot of all AFL tribes, not just in the Adelaide city centre but outside into the suburbs and the hills. In 2025, this bringing together of fans will expand further with plans for the internationally acclaimed Barossa Valley to get its taste of AFL action. From what we have seen over this year and last year as well as the plans in place to go forward, Gather Round is here to stay in SA in its current format.
The great charm of this particular round is that footy fans from all over the country congregate in a fabulous and beautiful part of the world that is South Australia. Whether fans are driving from Melbourne, Perth or Darwin, they are able to get the chance to witness the inherent beauty of South Australia whilst watching their own team play.
Recently, it has been reported that the AFL will host a series of Gather Rounds from 2028 in many different states to compensate for the odd number of teams with the entry of the Tasmania Devils.
However, hosting this gathering of footy fanatics in many different states loses the charm of what SA and the AFL have been able to create as fans will no longer book a particular weekend to go and see SA and will instead just wait for the round to be hosted in their state. Therefore, if the AFL really care about bringing the AFL community together and unifying them, the round has to be hosted only once a year in one state.
Also, whilst many have argued that the novelty of SA may wear off in a few years and the round has to go to other states, the fact of the matter is that no other state is as well positioned as South Australia to host such a unique event. Venturing off west makes the event largely inaccessible for the majority of Australia’s population on the east coast and there is also a lack of venues and infrastructure outside Perth.
Considering that a large number of games are already held in Victoria, there is no need for a national competition to continue to favour and benefit the state.
Whilst NSW and Queensland look like decent options as they have the necessary infrastructure, it is highly unlikely that two predominantly rugby league states will embrace Gather Round as much as SA, and it is also improbable that the NRL will easily let their main rival just steal their market in rugby league heartland.
South Australia’s mainly central location, combined with its rich football heritage, makes it the perfect and only real state that is able to host this event. With plans to go to the Barossa in 2025, the SA government are committed to expanding the event beyond Adelaide and ensuring that it only becomes more modern and exciting for fans to go to over the years.
Who knows what the future holds for the AFL and what may in time become possible, but as far as things stand right now, the joyous event that is Gather Round simply has to remain in its most suited home, in the Festival State.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It's the state that suffers from so many myths it's not funny. It's actually a mythological place.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I agree that it should go to, at least Perth, for 3 years too. And the travel too is an issue. I suppose l was going on the current contract which l think is 3 years. Has it been extended? If it has that's wrong!
RodH, Perth
Roar Rookie
WA has the grounds to hold most games in Perth (Optus & WACA) and the Perth regions (Joondalup and Mandurah). It also has direct flights into Busselton, so a game or two at Bunbury or Busselton would be huge. For most Western Australians if it stays in Adelaide we just lose another home game and our teams have to travel even more in a year. Not happy. If gather round continues needs to be rotated to make it worthwhile and to keep interest.
Blink
Roar Rookie
The main difference is that Brisbane is not an AFL state though the game is strong here. I'm in Redcliffe and they love sport but come a day like today we're all Dolphins no matter what. When I lived in Perth we Dockers had to put up with the Weagle flatulence. None of that here. They seem to support both teams but the Phins are us. So South Australia is the best and only choice for me. I've never seen anything beautiful about SA during my visits there and thought it was a fallback state for inbreds. But they were business not leasure trips. So I'll be pleased to go to the Gather Round and look for beauty.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
What was the 9,000 capacity oval? If Mt Barker l think that's not bad for the size of the town. Oakes Oval, Lismore is the same capacity and that's for a city of about 35,000.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The differences would be marginal and offset by the ease of intra-city travel.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Brisbane has a lot more hotel rooms and a lot more flights in. It would be cheaper to attend as a result, as opposed to Adelaide, where the same number of additional tourists drives prices a lot higher.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I resemble that comment
Cinderella's Big Score
Roar Rookie
I enjoyed the frequent TV interviews with the South Australian premier and the AFL CEO. Oh, by the way, I'm being sarcastic.
Cinderella's Big Score
Roar Rookie
According to Cameron Rose, the Crows are now the turkeys! A little harsh.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Bigger capacity? Optus is bigger but after that there's a Nothing Burger in it.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Trust you to get all puckered over it.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Brisbane more accessible? Brisbane would have less fans to attend despite being at least 50% bigger.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Lyndoch feels like Barossa-lite
Prez
Roar Rookie
Its a great event and yes the media love it but so do all the fans that attend.
mrl
Roar Rookie
The gathering every one gathered all around while gathering is good.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah,maybe its a central location of being in between Gawler and the Barossa for accomodation purposes,think most people would want to stay in Tanunda or Nuriootpa but Gawler is reasonably big
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
I don't think anyone's disputing that it's great for Adelaide. But about 90% of footy fans aren't in Adelaide, and a vast majority of those will never go to a gather round there. The lack of accommodation means that you'd have to pay insane amounts for a hotel room or camp out. I'd love to see it in Brisbane where it's much more accessible.
Mr Murray
Roar Rookie
Its an odd choice isnt it? It seems theyve done it to save the extra 15 minute drive to Tanunda or 20 to Nuri. Thats the only reason i can think of
Dibbs
Roar Rookie
Perth has comparable infrastructure to Adelaide. You'd lose the people who drive over (I'm not sure what those numbers are anyway?) but would still get travellers and you'd get crowds from locals. You'd most likely get bigger crowds than you do in Adelaide with bigger capacity grounds. It probably wouldn't work for Sydney and Queensland though.