Why a Darwin AFL Team will FAIL

[@DidTheSwansWin]

As someone who lived for 25 years in Darwin and now live in Tassie, the argument about heat and humidity being too much for the players is way overblown. If the NTFL and NTFA have existed for decades and the Territory Thunder held home games in the NEAFL without any issues why would the AFL side have dramas? They are professional athletes. Part of professional sport is being able to perform in different environments and conditions.

[@most6771]

Yes but an NT side would have to travel constantly, which as we know from the WA teams has a large effect on the body and injuries. Plus, them constantly be switching between boiling hot and cold weather would exacerbate this.

[@gpayne5156]

how did Geelong do against the GoldCoast?

[@BDub2024]

they play in wet season. a few beers after the match sort out the dehydration. team shouldn't be in darwin though.

[@derekbos4404]

I live in Port Hedland so I know about heat and humidity, but seriously AFL teams complain when they travel to Brisbane and it's "hot and humid", ie 24C 🙄 Remember Hawthorn under the umbrella for shade at 3/4 time?! Give me a spell 😅

[@BDub2024]

@@derekbos4404 they are never going to build an indoor stadium at darwin. That shows a total lack of knowledge about the city and economics

[@doylersafl8728]

I think Canberra is an underrated option for the 20th license. The Giants only average 1 or 2 thousand less in attendance than Canberra Raiders home matches so there's clearly hunger for afl footy to be played in the ACT.

[@realeststeps5271]

That is due to concentration though, there's only 3 games for the Giants, whereas the Raiders have 11 games a year in Canberra.

[@doylersafl8728]

@realeststeps5271 if that's the case, why shouldn't the afl hazard having more matches in Canberra or give them a team?

[@realeststeps5271]

​@doylersafl8728 it's a huge risk if they start losing, but I suppose it wouldn't be any less than they get at the Showgrounds. AFL fans in NSW and Qld are very fair weather

[@doylersafl8728]

@realeststeps5271 Canberra is 4 times smaller than western Sydney in terms of population and yet they average similar crowds, I think it's viable

[@realeststeps5271]

​@doylersafl8728 yeah and there's a lot more public servants in Canberra who are from Melbourne and follow the AFL. Western Sydney is the most rusted on Rugby League region in the country. The rest of Sydney still favours rugby league, but there's enough fans in Eastern, Southern and Northern Sydney for the Swans to be successful. For GWS that's not the case right now.

[@canberrapear7219]

Yes! Finally somebody who gets it. Darwin is too small, too isolated, too hard. Let me know if you need any content for a Canberra vid. I've been working on all the numbers.

[@shanerorko8076]

Why on earth would Darwin get an AFL team over Canberra? ACT has a similar population to TAS and has a higher GDP. If they think it won't work in Canberra how on earth would it work in Darwin.

[@JustSomeAussieGamer]

Over the next 15-20 years we're likely to get Norwood, a 3rd WA Team (That joins GCS playing games in Darwin), and somewhere like a Canberra. The only way a NT or Northern Australia team would work is if they never played an AWAY game. Eg, R1 @ Darwin, R2 @ Cairns, R3 @ Alice Springs, R4 @ Townsville etc etc, that's the only way they could generate enough of a supporter base & income. If they can make that happen, then people in Newcastle deserve a team, and then we still have the problem of uneven numbers, although, West Brisbane/Ipswich/Toowoomba might be big enough by the time something like that happens in 2050+

[@EvertonLions]

Team 20 needs to be Canberra. GWS need to focus on Western Sydney

[@AdrianHoliday]

@@EvertonLions move the Canberra games to Blacktown… at least that is true western Sydney

[@AdrianHoliday]

Video makes total sense. It really should go to Canberra, but the AFL don’t seem to be interested. They like the current arrangement with the Giants. Perth3 as a true NOR side poaching some current casual Eagles fans would work in the long run, but the WAFC old farts like to keep the two team set up out west and keep the price for attending the footy at Optus high. Norwood a chance in SA? AFL are focused on Tassie atm, so they won’t get serious about team 20 until ‘28

[@gregrobins5615]

Norwood are a very big chance actually.

[@AdrianHoliday]

@@gregrobins5615 the one positive for Norwood is that they are an established historical club with an identity and fan base… would poach some older Redlegs from the Crows base… but they need Canberra and Perth3 to fall through before they get a look in, quite possible The AFL would prefer a new franchise set up, but if it comes to SA you can’t ignore Norwood… instant huge rivalry with Port on the biggest stage

[@gregrobins5615]

@@AdrianHoliday Absolutely mate, Norwood are a big hit with the AFL simply because they know what they're getting from them. Gather Round enhances their chances as does Norwood really supporting their zones. Norwood helps out the Crows women with Norwood Oval being made available to them. Perth has been ruled out by the WAFC and Canberra and Darwin won't be sustainable without handouts. The interesting part for Norwood is if they make the SANFL grand final, what the crowd numbers will be. I'm tipping around 40,000 fans will turn up if Norwood wins the second semi.

[@zachariahcole7488]

Perth has to get the 20th licence. The team will be profitable (or close to) within a few years. It then creates the opportunity to play 2 Friday night games with limited overlap.

[@74_pelicans]

It won't be Perth, if it is west it'll be a SW team splitting games locally and up north at optus. Second Friday night HIGHLY unlikely given 7 won't want competition on its bread winner.

[@Bezeur]

I don't think Perth should get a team, but Mandurah which is just under an hour south of Perth would be perfect. Lots of country cities surrounding it, and people from the city could drive down

[@james124___2]

If Perth wasn’t so far away from Victoria, they might but because of the distance probably not

[@Bezeur]

@@zachariahcole7488 I look back on this, us having a 20th team would stuff up the Dockers vs Eagles rivalry. It can only be in the NT or north Queensland like Cairns or Townsville

[@iceyibis4876]

The AFL needs to looks for 3 big things in terms of location for a 20th team, Support for the sport in that area, Sufficient population, and probably an area that currently doesn’t have a major sporting team in either AFL or NRL or a big enough portion of the population who already support the AFL, I would say that the places that would make that qualify for that are, Darwin, Cairns or Canberra. The thing you’ve forgotten in your video is that smaller cities take a lot of pride in their local sports teams especially if they already don’t have one to support.

[@gregrobins5615]

The AFL look at- Participation rates Membership/supporter numbers Financially strong Community ties Sustainability over a long-term Ability to attract good sponsorship Success, particularly for an established club A rivalry to continue within the AFL These factors really only lead to one conclusion, Norwood.

[@detroitpistonsbasketball2273]

I am from Newcastle and i believe we should get the 20th afl team the population of our region is 700,00 and by 2030 there would be 1,000,000 which means an increase of population of 300,000 people and it would be easy to turn these people into afl fans and we are starting to see a larger increase of kids playing afl if we get a team we would have 4 big blockbusters at home us vs the two sydney teams plus a couple melbourne teams.

[@AUFC.Jaidyn]

fair enough but it will be hard converting people from mainly NRL fans, and A-League fans to AFL fans. Plus no stadium there compared to the 30k capacity of the rectangular McDonald Jones. Could make a rivalry with the other NSW teams though, not a bad shout, just no stadium (and never had games there, unlike Darwin, Canberra and NQ) and a majority NRL city.

[@harrykatsaros]

You’re right on. Newcastle and Canberra should be the next licenses issued.

[@dtrezy5223]

Would an AFL team in Newcastle be able to survive along side the Knights?

[@paulorocky]

@@harrykatsarosCanberra would be an idea as they could tap into the Riverina, the stadium already exists and travel would be straightforward.

[@blakeatkinson]

I would love the AFL to relocate North Melbourne to Canberra and make GWS play in Newcastle I think then they would capture the majority of the population of New South Wales

[@kadachiman7234]

If a group (in this case NT Govt) is stating that a project will cost S1 Billion...then you can be sure that the end price will end up closer to $1.5 to $2 Billion (close to $7500 per Territorian which only has 255K entire population...which is not a good expenditure of the NT taxpayer's money....so Federal Govt and AFL will be on the hook for the majority of the cost) We all know that any Government project has cost blowouts....just watch what happens to Tasmania's new stadium.........example = Optus Stadium cost $1.8 billion and was almost double the original budget (includes maintenance cost for the next 20 years of $400 mill) NT Govt could not even afford the ongoing maintenance cost of a new AFL stadium, without Federal and/or AFL support. So...NT Team? a romantic thought put not a practical decision......unless the AFL wants yet another never ending pit to keep pouring other more financial teams' money into.

[@timdixo]

Norwood…a massive historical club generating huge corporate backing and an instant large scale fan base. The rivalry with Port would be a sensation here,the Showdown playing second fiddle. It needs to happen.

[@theflyingdropbear2009]

It would have to either one of these options. A Canberra based team, a third WA team, or if the AFL is so deadset on a Darwin team, it should be a composite team made up of North QLD, NT and North WA, with an enclosed air conditioned stadium. Is the last option likely to happen, with that arrangement? No, but it would still be somewhat better than a pure Darwin setup being proposed.

[@gdex6659]

Good insight. What other options for a 20th team do you reckon are better moving forward?

[@gregrobins5615]

Norwood.

[@TheLIMREPORT]

What about New Zealand with the team based in Wellington since it has an AFL ready ground ?

[@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk]

Won't be AFL that would be the ANZFL

[@brixtonkiwi]

As a kiwi I can confirm that a silly idea. I remember the NZAFL coming to my high school trying to get new players with the carrot that if you start in February you could make the national squad by the end of the year…

[@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk]

@@brixtonkiwi it's still a better game then rugby and one of the best players in the AFL is dusty Martin who is a New Zealand

[@TheLIMREPORT]

@@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk He identifies as an Aussie even though his late father, Shane, was a Kiwi. But yes I get the connection there.

[@royalwolf9926]

Also curious what clubs do you believe aren't surviving in Melbourne? Since 2018 North Melbourne has grown by over 20% in membership, same for the Bulldogs and then St Kilda by 30% and Melbourne closer to doubling than a 50% increase. North Melbourne known for being the smallest club in Melbourne would be the largest club on membership in the entire competition in 2008 that's just 16 years ago. I feel like the comment you made on struggling Melbourne clubs is more based off of your own vibes rather than any facts.

[@harrykatsaros]

Personally I think Bulldogs, North and St. Kilda should merge into one. This was discussed about 30 years ago in a merger proposal to form a combined “Melbourne United”. It would turn the 3 clubs into an absolute juggernaut. Now you might argue that nobody is going to follow their clubs into this new merged entity but let’s see how they feel about it when that new club, still Melbourne based, wins 3-4 premierships in a row with 70-80K plus rocking up to the games week in and week out. That’s the combined success of all 3 clubs over the last half century. I think fans will be quick to embrace that kind of success.

[@royalwolf9926]

@@harrykatsaros Talking from the perspective of someone who doest support any of these clubs I Imagine. Merging a south east club with a western club with a Northern club??? Do you have any idea how logistics works? St Kilda is the only team for the largest area in Melbourne (The south East), bulldogs are the only team for west Melbourne and North Melbourne own name rights to melbourne's fastest growing area. Why would the AFL ever get rid of those teams? Melbourne will have 10 million people by 2060 with the majoirty of those peoples in the North and the west, why would the AFL get rid of bulldogs and North Melbourne it makes very little financial sense. If you really did want to merge some clubs that close to each other I would suggest Carlton and Collingwood however or Richmond and Hawthorn since they are in very close proximity to each other geographically (Are you seeing how dumb this idea sounds now).

[@royalwolf9926]

​@@harrykatsaros I'm actually convinced that you are just a Chat GPT prompt at this point its thats illogical.

[@heyguyswhatshappening6210]

@@harrykatsarosthat’s an interesting thought but how do you know it won’t backfire ? The supporters may switch to watching another code so the afl could lose a lot of supporters while another code gains more.

[@danieljdtaylor]

The weather argument is not a valid argument in my opinion. A lot of professional sporting leagues around the world have teams travelling often between hot and cold weather (think NFL for example). The differences in weather is just something everyone would have to adjust and adapt to, but the AFL is always stubborn in wanting to adjust and adapt to new things so 🤷‍♂️. The size of the market is the key argument for no NT team. The market at this stage is too small for a team full time. A more general “Northern” based team would maybe be more viable, playing games between Darwin and Cairns/Townsville.

[@jonnies]

One pipedream idea that would slightly boost economic viability is if Darwin also got an NRL team and to make the prospective stadium host both AFL and NRL games.

[@michelle5for]

I'll chip in for a Mini SCG/MCG in Darwin if I won the lotto. Cricket and NRL/AFL for year round utility. I understand the small population but it could be a huge draw for Australia playing and hosting sports with SE Asia and abroad being 4 hours closer than Melbourne flying in from everywhere that isn't USA/NZ. Selfish part of me wants a trpoical Chennai down under in Darwin

[@jlitza3416]

Spot on about the logistics mate but have to disagree about the population worries, bigger population doesn't immediately mean bigger crowds - look at GWS and GC for example (they are competing against rugby league and other sports ofc). Although it is rugby union, Dunedin is a great example of a small city (roughly 120k) that has maintained very decent crowds for years, the fact that AFL will have a sporting monopoly on Darwin and the NT will only help this fact.

[@MyUrbanExplorationOnline]

If anything, I think there is a better argument that Canberra to get the 10th team, and once the Canberra team is setup. Setup a 20 year plain to move relocate or relegation three worse preforming Melbourne team. Doing so would allow the AFL in becoming in a truly a national series. Doing so would allow AFL teams in Canberra, Newcastle, Darwin, and Cape York Peninsula. doing so would allow in mind not just for AFL, but also expiation of four more BBL teams and two more Sheffield Shield teams in the same regions.

[@alexvilla5277]

I agree with a lot of what you say. There are many risks that will need to be managed. I do think it may work though. Population is small but imagine having an AFL team in your small city. The whole place will buzz around the team and community spirit will see it as like the thing to do on your weekends there. It will be like the main attraction for locals. What else is there to do in Darwin lol. So I don't think market size is an issue. They will get the members and they will get the attendance I reckon. Just all that weather stuff. I dunno. Any thoughts on my opinion? Oh and I think the big issue is if players will leave this city cos they don't wanna live there

[@christendomempire5657]

If they going to go to Darwin why not Ballarat or Bendigo then?

[@brendanhartzer5712]

Western Bulldogs play some games in Ballarat and in the future Bendigo possibly will be upgraded to afl standard and St Kilda or North Melbourne may play one or tow games per season there

[@EarlJohn61]

What if... The 2 Melbourne based teams with the worst financial results over the last decade were to merge, dropping the number of teams back to 18? I'm not sure which 2 teams this would be, so I'm not going to mention any particular club. [except it would be hilarious if Collywood happened to be one, although I doubt this]

[@EarlJohn61]

Or alternatively, Auckland could provide an untapped market... (although travel from Perth to Auckland or vice versa would be Auckward [groan]...)

[@AdrianHoliday]

Mergers are so 90s, nah

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

Financially a 3rd WA team makes the most sense. SA is basically too poor and stagnant. SA and WA were traditionally very equal but no longer. WA is now much more populous and much much richer. No where else could get a decent crowd and would need to be heavily subsidised

[@threestumps7560]

Good video, I tend to agree with you but the AFL still needs to show some love to Darwin/NT. Maybe a joint SA/NT gather round or Nth Qld/NT gather round in the future? The AFL needs to be careful of the ventures that they embark on and how economical they are: Gold Coast, GWS, AFLW, Tas Devils etc. too many uneconomical ventures will drain from the economical side of the sport. They should not go expecting governments to foot the bill on stadiums that they not prepared to pay for themselves.

[@demeech74]

You have to think about the players as well who want to live up there ?

[@comradesomo]

As it is, the Tassie team will never be profitable and will be a permanent drain on the resources of the AFL. To put a team in Darwin would be the height of folly.

[@Munstallstodes]

Never be profitable? Tasmania's a football state, I'm sure it will see more success than GWS and GC Let's just hope they don't half ass the club marketing like they did with GC.

[@comradesomo]

It doesn't matter if it's a football state, it has a small population which is basically stagnant, and is increasingly elderly. They're going to have to get a significant percentage of the population to games every week to support this team. The average attendance at Bellerive over the last five seasons in which games have been played is under 10,000 people, less than half capacity. I don't think Tasmanians are going to reliably turn out in three times that number to support what will be a second team for most people over the long term. GWS has five times the population of Tasmania to draw from, and another 400,000 from Canberra, while Gold Coast has 700,000 people in its greater metro area and will be able to draw in some of the 2.5m people in Brisbane itself, those clubs have infinitely greater potential for profitability.

[@Munstallstodes]

@@comradesomo 15k attended the st kilda vs Hawthorn game earlier this month. Melbourne has a population of 5 million and 10 teams in the competition. The team will see financial success in the long run, people will also travel from Melbourne to see the games.

[@eddielong8663]

​@comradesomo Yeah, right. Bellarive should be at capacity for every Roos' junk "Home" match, right? The Devils won't be setting any AFL attendance records but there's no way they'll be less successful than the Suns and Giants. And this is coming from someone who doesn't necessarily want the Suns and Giants axed from the comp. A "second team" for Tasmania? You seriously think the majority of Tasmanian AFL fans will keep supporting the Hawks and other clubs they're already rusted onto? Maybe the stubborn oldies will refuse to jump on board but they'll find it pretty difficult to manipulate their kids and grandkids into not supporting the local State side. The Hawks were always meant to be a temporary substitute for the State and most Tasmanians still don't identify with them anyway. The club will almost definitely end its partnership with the State in the next few years. You're talking s#%t.

[@telltellyn]

@@comradesomo Bringing up Bellerive's current numbers demonstrates you don't know what you're talking about. Of course Tasmanians aren't going to watch North, a side with no connection to the state, who have one of the smallest fanbases, during a period where they are a basket case, at a notoriously bad stadium.

[@extreamaussieguy2968]

I'd say the cheapest options for the AFL to bring in a 20th team would be a team in either SA or WA. Neither state would need a new or upgraded stadium as they would use the current infrastructure and likely would be an established SANFL or WAFL team which would only need a small investment into upgrading facilities at their current home grounds.

[@james124___2]

I know right People just don’t listen

[@jamtysiv8440]

Norwood already have a staduim

[@extreamaussieguy2968]

@@jamtysiv8440 the AFL won't hold regular games at Norwood oval. The likely scenario if they were to get an AFL license would be their games being held at AO with the likelihood that there could be two games some weeks held at AO. Norwood would become a training and reserves facility

[@gregrobins5615]

Norwood are a big chance and are basically ready to go.

[@TrystaneTheBlack]

I'd say you're probably better off having a team from New Zealand in the competition probably based in Wellington. There's a larger population and proven supportive fanbases like with the NRL's warriors or NBL's breakers with the added bonus of gaining more fans for the sport in general outside of Australia. Heck the AFL already do work in promoting the sport in New Zealand schools so why not I say.

[@jimyoung6271]

It would help if the AFL would get out of the way of the game's international development. Darwin would then be in a good place to capitalise on that.

[@TBoneTony]

Way too hot during winter when it comes to Top End Australia during Football season.

[@Power_Prawnstar]

Nah, best time of the year up there, they play the other season for the NTFL, the hottest part of the year. It's fine.

[@sandgroperbrewing2399]

Can I please ask what state you live in?

[@jamesfarnarkler]

A Darwin team playing, in July, at home in 30 degrees then Canberra in 8 degrees then Brisbane in 21 degrees then Hobart in 8 degrees. Shocker for the players!!!

[@BDub2024]

Those other places like Bendigo Ballarat at least all support footy. In Darwin you have a mix of codes and shifting population from rugby states.

[@AUFC.Jaidyn]

nice vid mate, but just wondering what locations you would prefer for a 20th team, as it will happen eventually. Canberra seems like the only other real option, but thats taking away from an already small GWS fanbase. I don't see a 3rd Adelaide or Perth team working either, this video also rules out north Queensland (Townsville and Cairns)

[@benjaminrowley]

Exactly if u add a standalone Canberra team it’ll destroy the giants. Some others have said a 3rd WA but it be a more of deterrent from the nrl giving them a team lol

[@jamtysiv8440]

Norwood football club😊

[@AidanEricson-gk2wx]

Bro I’ve lived in The NT for the last 10 years I’m originally from Melbourne and played at a high level and it’s not that bad it is still footy and the games down there always get sold out this is bull crap the humidity isn’t that bad

[@alexpedlar6438]

It won’t be a Northern Territory team, it’ll be a Northern Australian one, where Cairns and Darwin will both host games. The team will be based in Darwin. No worries for the inside knowledge

[@benjaminrowley]

The NT has the largest participation for the AFL in the country also it would fix the dwindling numbers afl is facing with aboriginal players in the league. Plus the AFL would be making billion plus yearly from now on they can afford it

[@74_pelicans]

Largest? Check your stats.

[@Will5353_]

With what population It’s just too small

[@heyguyswhatshappening6210]

“Dwindling number of aboriginal players” ? And do you think that will hurt the AFL in some way ?

[@royalwolf9926]

The third team will be in North Sydney or Canberra if you are lucky. Why expand into states where Footy already has a monopoly? You can fit 13 Northern Territories worth of people into Sydney's North it just makes all the financial sense. Even Ballarat's population is soon to surpass Darwin. And that Newcastle and Sunshine Coast are higher than Canberra in population.

[@royalwolf9926]

PS: Do you really think a Darwin or Canberra based team is going to generate the profit to pay off the stadium construction?

[@chadchadderton]

Canberra, 3rd WA/SA, Newcastle, Cairns, Country VIC, NZ and Darwin are all more likely to get a spot than North Sydney... and rightfully so. That doesn't mean all of those options are viable however.

[@gregrobins5615]

Why expand into footy states ? Simply because a club like Norwood deserves it's chance, has a proud, successful history, a great rivalry with Port and has the resources to succeed. A club that has been around for 146 years and done so much for Australian football.

[@royalwolf9926]

@@gregrobins5615 you can make the same argument about all the WAFL teams as well, the AFL doesn’t need to expand into states where Footy already has a monopoly, New South Wales is the future of AFL expansion, the AFL is a business not a sentimental festival. PS: you can fit the entire population of South Australia into Northern Sydney and a bit more, why would a business actually choose Norwood over a team in New South Wales.

[@gregrobins5615]

@@royalwolf9926 If NSW was the future of the AFL, then why is there only 2 clubs that are represented ? If GWS can only get 10-15 thousand to a game, why would the AFL waste time and money in a rugby heartland ? It's all about participation, not population. No WAFL club has the success that Norwood have, or the financial status. As for businesses, does it get any bigger than Penfolds Winery, Wolff Blass or Coopers Brewery ? I highly doubt it either. You're right though football is a business, that's why Norwood is the logical option and don't require propping up like Darwin will. The AFL have said that they want sustainability.

[@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk]

Port Adelaide is a tiny place as well but is somehow working..... And the NT team will be for all of the NT from Alice springs to Darwin...

[@canberrapear7219]

Port Adelaide is in a metro area of 1.4m. Darwin has only 140k. Even splitting a city in two, Port still has a catchment five times the size of Darwin.

[@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk]

@@canberrapear7219 and yet struggle to get 50k members

[@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk]

@@canberrapear7219 so going on that alone means in a city of 140k you need a min of 40k in and out of Darwin... Also Adelaide is the bigger club and has more members... Port Adelaide are also faced with pure hate from every club in the SANFL which limits there members and holds it down under 50 k that's why Port Adelaide have pet membership

[@canberrapear7219]

@@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk Regardless of what portion they have of Adelaide, it's far greater than just the suburb of Port Adelaide, and much bigger than the population of Darwin. And Darwin is also incredibly isolated. You're not getting any support from nearby towns. Alice Springs is 15 hours away.

[@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk]

@@canberrapear7219 Port is not far greater then just a suburb it's just a suburb I know because I live in Adelaide iv also lived in Darwin... And you do get a lot of support for the NT thunder... People from Darwin come to Adelaide to watch the crows play mate and people from Alice springs are in a great place to travel up north and down in to Adelaide... As the saying go's you Build it they will come.... Also people on the islands around Darwin play a lot of footy.... It's an AFL state Darwin also get a lot of tourist coming in and out and a lot of them may want to watch AFL and go to a game but can't because one of two reasons don't have enough money to go to Melbourne or the AFL is not played on a professional level.... Anyway Darwin is a better place to put a team then tasmanian and if you want to talk weather going cold is much more problematic in shorts and a singlet going from running and sweating then sitting on the bench in 10 degrees Celsius under 0 then it would be to run around in 35 degrees Celsius which they already do also the sun's and Adelaide have played up there with no problems

[@Gary-vv5gt]

I feel I gotta make an April fools joke about Darwin about having an stadium bigger than Pyongyang May Day stadium haha

[@Hunty49]

Balance wise and on feelings alone, Darwin should be the 20th team. But, based on facts, even if they were a successful team, they would always be on life support. I can't see Darwin being a destination team because you have to live there. But the Darwin team would have a fitness advantage as they would have acclimatised to the conditions. But would even out when playing in Melbourne 5 degree rain.

[@GoldspinkandrewLiamjk]

Darwin is an awesome place to live

[@Magpie_Mark92]

They should be the Territory All Stars

[@chadchadderton]

Finally someone operating with some common sense

[@Power_Prawnstar]

Darwin is very, very rich, so it could happen. I think Canberra is probably the smartest plan. FWIW, I was born and grew up in Darwin, played footy and rugby forever up there, and it's fine when u get used to it and dont drink too many beers the night before 😂

[@Magpie_Mark92]

You don't need to build a whole new stadium

[@rhysh2639]

I personally believe that Canberra should be next. GWS need to stop playing games in Canberra and concentrate on building their fanbase in Sydney. A Darwin team would need to be shared with Cairns. A "Northern Australia" team. I think a roof is unnecessary, footy is an outdoor game and the weather conditions are part and parcel of the sport. As for the heat, play the games at night with air conditioned interchange areas (just like what they've been doing). A Northern Australian team should be based in Cairns for the first half of the season and Darwin for the second half (and one Alice Springs game).

[@arnolddavies6734]

18 teams is enough. Can’t see the need for 20 teams. The hot Darwin climate is unsuitable for a predominantly winter sport. It doesn’t make sense for a small population centre like Darwin to have their own AFL team. Like the guy said, it’s too far from any other centre too.

[@Power_Prawnstar]

Man, the wether isnt as bad as you say, its hot, but its winter, they already play in the wet season up there, how soft are ya? Darwin rain is warm, not like down south. Its not as bad as you think.

[@davidpickford.]

I don't follow AFL but wouldn't Canberra or a 3rd QLD team be more viable

[@sunder2936]

we don't need 19 and 20, we need to go back to 16. We do not have the talent to support all these teams. We have already seen the likes of west coast and north melb dip to week by week perfomance lows rivaling that of fitzroy before we had to merge them. The bottom 5-6players from every teams best 22 are hardly AFL quality and the moment you start having injuries it is farcical the teams that get rolled out. Right now if you are lucky enough to play the bottom 4 teams twice you basically bank 4+ wins and 150% on your games and it will only get worse as tasmania comes in and god forbid a 20th. The standard will be a joke, the overall product will be horrible just so we can give some states football? Look at the tasmanian AFL team of the century. The best 22 players to come from tasmania and play vfl/afl for 150 years, i'm pretty sure ricky ponting is named in the forward pocket. To top it all off, it will be a shit spectacle of football down there, any kid drafted who isn't from tasmania will want to leave back to to there home state and the whole thing is probably going to die in 10 years. Just look at the success of the teams since we became a 16 team comp, forget 18 just 16. Adelaide won 2 flags straight away and apart from one other grand final flogging not much, port got one after 6 years and also copped an almighty hiding, freo has made 1 grand final and basically been irrelevant for 27years, the lions were a super team BECAUSE of a merge, brisbane bears were horrendous. West coast has been the only shining light up until the last 3 years where its an unacceptable level of football they produce. And most of the victorian clubs have struggled since the 90s. The same 6 teams have basically enjoyed the majority of success since 2000. we need less teams and a stronger product, professional sport is for the elite, not for the also rans.

[@realbron3255]

Good luck with that mate

[@gregrobins5615]

It's beyond time that the AFL look into the heartland of Australian football and forget the adage of expansion. Show some respect to a club that has done so much for football for a long period of time. Success, financially strong, has a strong, loyal following and is certainly sustainable as required by the AFL. That club is the Norwood Football Club. If you know your football, you'll also know that Norwood is the best club outside the AFL and have been waiting for the next opportunity. They are ready to go and won't need financial assistance each year like these other proposals.

[@jamesmunn867]

More chance of setting up a New Zealand license in Auckland than a lowly population of the Northern Territory only half of Tasmania’s just simply won’t stake up a great video!! 👍 common sense prevails here

[@DaquaviousFriggleton]

no one wants afl over here

[@jamesmunn867]

@@DaquaviousFriggleton the AFL does for expansion market viability and to boost broadcasting rights across the ditch like NRL, A League, Basketball & Netball the sport is growing rapidly in popularity!!

[@DaquaviousFriggleton]

@@jamesmunn867 I could see it happening but I’m not sure it’ll catch on fast due to the other dominant sports. Would’ve been a lot better for afl if yous had done it 25 years ago

[@khankake9576]

It will fail, it will never be able to compete for fans with other football codes in the city, like the NRL's Warriors, and Super Rugby Pacific's Blues.

[@jamesmunn867]

@@khankake9576 your opinion is insular and irrelevant doesn’t stack up against the market in which the AFL will propose expansion in the long term foreseeable future do some more research and stop doubting yourself with the code the AFL competes against Rugby territory to grow the market with broadcasting rights as has always!!

[@BGwControlStop]

Tell them thier dreaming, the next license has to be in a Major Population Center, It would make sense to add another team in either Perth or Adelaide. Given the affluence and history Norwood would probably be the most sensible choice. Darwin would be a complete disaster, no draftees would every want to live there. Interstate clubs in Perth , Adelaide , SE QLD and Sydney already have a tough time retaining talent with 70% players drafted from Victoria.

[@H00L3y]

Could we just move Marvel stadium to Darwin? 😅 Save heaps of money

[@TimmyTickle]

Personally, I reckon they should keep it at 19 teams and play an 18-game season (and if they did introduce a 20th team, Canberra would be a better choice than Darwin)

[@chadchadderton]

Why an 18 game season?

[@braydos24]

@@chadchadderton well you don't play yourself do you?

[@chadchadderton]

@@braydos24 What's your logic?

[@braydos24]

@@chadchadderton play every team once would be an 18 round season

[@chadchadderton]

@@braydos24 Yeah but why would they do that? It doesn't solve fixture equality, it means a HUGE loss of revenue, it ruins rivalry match ups like the showdown and the derby and it significantly shortens the season.

[@robertparry4929]

There is one 1 option not discussed for the 20th team. It has a strong membership base, would allow for Essendon to move back to the MCG full-time with this other club coming back in. The break-up of a merged entity would also occur. Yes folks. FITZROY. Brisbane returns to be the Bears. Fitzroy plays at Docklands full-time.

[@dtrezy5223]

You can't really use climate as a reason against a Darwin team. There's different climates around the world and you just have to adapt to different climates. Soccer is played all over the world in different climates. The NRL has the North Queensland Cowboys playing in Townsville and it's never a problem. But I do think a Darwin team is unlikely because of the population. I can't see it happening.

[@alexpedlar6438]

You’d be fun at parties

[@kovaci0000007]

Just merge GC and GWS and send them to Canberra

[@thewokestoner8528]

Some of the best players come from up in the NT. Reckon they would run amok on your southerners.

[@richardwood9177]

Tassie will be hard enough. It’ll never make a profit and have to be supported forever by the AFL. Darwin would be even worse. The population is just too small. It only has 140K people - less than 60% of the NT. Geelong has a bigger population than the entire NT. And who else is going to use the stadium. Put a roof on it and you can’t play test cricket there. Canberra makes much more sense. Build a new stadium near Lake Burley Griffin, you can play cricket there, it’s close to the Riverina (an AFL heartland) and the ACT has about the same size population as Tasmania. Much bigger than Hobart. No brainer.

[@minibeast21]

Northwrn territory & their biggest city Darwin's population is way too small to make a AFL club sustainable

[@GoldCoast2011]

It’s almost like the creator of this video forgets that there is currently a fully functional state league in the NT already. Makes it sound like football is not currently possible in Darwin. And that league takes place in the middle of summer/wet season.

[@davidpickford.]

That's like saying any town that has an Australian rules competition can join the AFL. When you're talking about the biggest league it takes a bit more then just a few local clubs playing a comp. You need infrastructure, money, supporters, big population.

[@snipee-mi5jl]

give it to canberra

[@H00L3y]

I'd go a far east or regional Vic team. I get there's heaps of Vic teams but this might be a cheaper option then NT

[@Dardy96_]

Relocation not new team

[@midooley543]

Build it and they will come

[@BDub2024]

My view before watching video. Not enough spectators to go to matches and pay for premium seating and boxes. Not the usual freebies that inflate crowds. Poor crowds. Shifting population means locals won't be loyal to Darwin club, but would support their usual Victorian team. Many consider themselves visitors rather than territorians. Corporate support and businesses missing. TV audience too small. Needs basically 95% of Territorians to be interested in footy and barrack for the club. Lucky to get 30%. Arguments about aboriginals needing a team is nonsense. Its patronising and won't convince the majority of population who barrack for Vic sides to convert. Its also arrogant of sport and football to actually think they will make a difference to domestic violence, racist attitudes, homelessness, unemployment, poor health, addictions, mental health etc... Problems are much deeper that can't be solved by a footy match. Maybe cultural things like art, dance, music and healthy and safe communities are far more important.

[@FranticMonster11]

Has to be ACT

[@ParisAvenue2005]

I bet you if Darwin does get a team, the AFL will build the stadium for them. Unlike Tasmania where us tax-payers are footing the bill whether we like it or not.

[@telltellyn]

The AFL don't have even remotely enough money for that kind of spend, they make about $20m in profit a year. All the times you hear people call them a $1 billion organisation, those people are conveniently leaving out that the AFL already spend $980m of that revenue.

[@lawlordummett2851]

You talk in a very matter of fact way but provide little evidence for what you’re saying. I’m not sure anyone was suggesting people drive up from Alice Springs, that’s a made up argument you rebuked to make yourself look smart

[@braydos24]

So who will go to the footy in NT?

[@74_pelicans]

The whole video is terrible haha

[@ToGoGaming-7]

Under 2 hour gang!

[@edwardsmith8127]

If you want a national game Darwin/NT must have a team.As a Melbourne person who visits Darwin regularly they are just as sports mad as Melbourne.I would think a Darwin team would be quite competitive with their talented Aboriginal players.In the dry season in the evening the weather is quite easy to play in if you are fit,around 25°C low humidity.A lot of southerners like to holiday in Darwin during winter months so I think you would get good attendances & it would make Darwin more of a destination to live with AFL there.I may even go live there & ditch the Melbourne winters,traffic & Vic state government.NT & Federal governments should support it as it will benefit Australia having more activity in the north.

[@paulmcdougall4851]

I wholeheartedly support a team based in Darwin, There is a quote that states “Short term pain for long term gain”, and at the end of the day if think that it’ll be absolutely worth especially if other sport’s financial chip in with costs.

[@mjames4709]

Screw a 20th team. Let’s piss off Gold Coast and pretty much any interstate team and get back to the old VFL.

[@davidrmmurray877]

Its not about the weather, or the stadium, it's unifying and will be a watershed for reconciliation. Precsionary benifits for aboriginal communities. You are not a journalist and you are spinning negative. No conversation mention of maro benifits. Little person little opinion.

[@thewokestoner8528]

Some of the best players come from up in the NT. Reckon they would run amok on your southerners.

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

AFL squad is over 40 players. Only a dozen or so current AFL players are from NT