Darwin is where the AFL's 20th team should be situated, according to Andrew Demetriou, the boss of the national competition between 2003-2014.
The league is preparing for Tasmania's entry into the competition in 2028, which will result in an uneven number of teams and require the re-introduction of weekly byes.
Demetriou had experience in managing this when he was leading the league, as Gold Coast and GWS were welcomed in 2011 and 2012.
The AFL has already charged an NT taskforce, headed by former Collingwood champion player and coach Nathan Buckley and Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod.
"The AFL have charged the responsibility to the AFL NT taskforce to come up with some recommendations and some strategies," Demetriou said on SEN's podcast 'This is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers'.
"It's populated by some very good people. Peter Jackson the ex-CEO of Essendon and Melbourne, Nathan Buckley, Andrew McLeod, some local Territorians in business and Sean Bowden is the chair.
"It's got the right people working on it. There's a great football heritage coming out of the Northern Territory. Great football has been produced out of the NT and great footballers.
"Participation rates are going through the roof, particularly amongst girls now.
"If they could have a team, I think it'd be a great thing to help bridge the gap with the Indigenous community, which a lot of governments over the years haven't been able to do."
A strategic business case was revealed in May, 2024, which laid claims that a stadium could be built within the next 7-10 years at a cost of $700-735 million, falling in line with Demetriou's intended target for the introduction of the 20th team.
"The year 2032 is a good target year because it's when the next broadcast rights come around," Demetriou said.
"There'll be 19 teams in the competition, so having a 20th would avail itself to having a 10th game to sell (each round).
"It's pretty exciting, I think."
The strategic case also consists plans of upgrading Traeger Park in Alice Springs and further improvements to TIO Stadium in Darwin.
