The NAB AFL Draft might only be contracted to the Gold Coast until 2014, but AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said next year may not be the last Queensland sees of it..
Demetriou, speaking with Queensland Minister for Small Business, Tourism and Major Events, Jann Stuckey, said the AFL was hoping to extend the contract further.
“It just seems to be a really wonderful fit having it on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“Everyone in the industry looks forward to coming up here. I’m hoping to sit down and extend this agreement.
“A fantastic place to be, in Queensland, this time of the year.”
Demetriou was at Metricon Stadium as part of a day of AFL meetings, including a key discussion with club CEOs, set to focus on competition equalisation.
“Having been to the US in July with three club presidents and CEOs we’ve come back to see how we can get more revenue in the hands of the smaller clubs,” Demetriou said.
“People want to go to a game with uncertainty of outcome. It’s better for broadcasts, membership (and) audiences.
“We don’t want wipe outs and so we need to ensure competitiveness on the field.”
Having been in Queensland since Monday, along with the AFL Commission, Demetriou said the growth of the game in the state was pleasing.
“There’s a lot to like about what’s happening in Queensland, when you see Burpengary and you see Springfield,” he said.
“We’ve recently signed on to play another game in Cairns and a regional game in Townsville.
“We love Queensland and we want the draft to come back to Queensland.”
Minister Stuckey echoed Demetriou’s sentiment of keeping the AFL Draft on the Coast.
“I look forward to those discussions because we welcome the draft here and also the growing interest in this sport,” Stuckey said.
“What we’re seeing is a growing partnership with the Newman government and AFL and we’re thrilled to be able to have the AFL Draft here.”
The NAB AFL Draft will be held tomorrow night at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Click here for FREE tickets.
Twitter: @bethknewman
