GWS forward Max Gruzewski would be open to sharing the foothold on Canberra with a 20th club, if the AFL leans towards expanding into the nation's capital.
Chatter about evening up the competition has hit the front page following Tasmania's announcement of Ken Hinkley as its inaugural coach ahead of the Devils' 2028 introduction.
The Northern Territory has been endorsed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while Six Points co-host Mark Stevens has backed Western Australia to host a third AFL side.
The Giants play three games each year at Manuka Oval in Canberra, and according to Gruzewski, the thirst for football is large enough to host a new AFL club.
"Definitely, I think what we say whenever we play at Manuka, it's a sold-out crowd," Gruzewski told Zero Hanger.
"So there's clearly a love for football in Canberra, like AFL football in Canberra, which is great. And we love playing there because you know the fans always show up, and it's always a great atmosphere in those games. So I mean, I can't see why Canberra couldn't be the 20th team.
"From my experience in Canberra, the fans down there are great. They love footy, and yeah, it's always a great atmosphere when we play there."
Once the Devils enter the competition, the AFL will have 19 clubs, forcing a bye each week.
There's a clear desire to even up the league, but the powerbrokers at AFL HQ won't rush a new team in, allowing Tasmania clear breathing room to develop.
When the Giants entered the AFL, they followed Gold Coast 12 months later, ultimately stunting the growth of the Suns as they contended with compromised drafts alongside their fellow expansion club.
The ACT government remains interested in bringing a new club to the region, but is realistic it won't be in the "near term".
“We maintain a productive relationship with the AFL and will engage in discussions about expansion when the league decides the time is right to explore future licences,” a government spokesperson told Fox Footy.
“We do not expect that to be in the near term.”
The ACT rivals Perth in terms of population (795,000 vs 713,000), but records less than half (42000 vs 18000) in football participation.
Crowd numbers at AFL games in Canberra have toppled those in the Northern Territory and Tasmania in recent years, leading to a strong case to become an AFL team.
