Geelong CEO Steve Hocking has backed the proposal of an AFL Magic Round in 2023, which would see all nine games played in one state for a round of football next season.
As reported by 7 News' Tom Browne earlier in the week, the AFL is coming close to making a decision on the event, with New South Wales and South Australia emerging as the favourites to host.
Speaking at the launch of Geelong's 2022 premiership cup tour, Hocking said that a magic round would be "great for football" but that he didn't have a preference where it was hosted.
โI don't have a preference (where it's held), other than I think it's fantastic to take nine games to a state. Wherever it lands, good luck to that state. But it's great for football,โ Hocking said.
โMy understanding is there will be less pre-season, and I am not quite sure why pre-season has gone for as long as it has, I think players want to play. And if you are going to play, you want to play in actual premiership games.
โI think it's fantastic for the fans. My understanding is it's going to land in the second week of the school holidays which means young people, young kids, get to connect with the game. When you take over a state, that's unbelievably good for football.โ
The round, once approved by the AFL, is set to come at the expense of pre-season games, with a 24 round 2023 season expected to be announced.
The magic round is expected to take place in April, in order to coincide with school holidays.
