South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has confirmed that the state will be bidding to host an AFL 'Magic Round' as part of a radical fixture change floated by AFL bosses.
The recent AFL announcement of a lucrative broadcasting deal worth $4.5 billion has set in motion a cascade of excitement, with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan confirming on SEN that four states are interested in hosting a 'Magic Round' of footy.
An AFL 'Magic Round' would feature 18 teams and nine games at one venue, replicating the NRL's 'festival of football'.
This would likely attract astounding domestic tourism and become a must-watch round much like the NRL's 'Magic Round'.
South Australia is bidding to host an entire round of @AFL next season.
— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) September 20, 2022
The enthusiasm of AFL executives and fans is palpable, and McLachlan stated that clubs have expressed 'resounding interest' in the idea.
"There was not a no, so the team have gone off and explored all of that and now we have got multiple States interested in doing it and now it has got to the point where we have got three States that have said โyeah, weโll do it, weโd love to have all nine games in this market'," he told SEN Radio
"It would be a big thing."
SEE MORE: What would an AFL Magic Round look like?
It is mooted to take place in the school holidays as an additional 24th round in place of a pre-season hit-out.
"The members in each State still get their 11 home games, itโs an additional one and we can come together as an industry," McLachlan said.
"Notionally we have been talking about getting the season out of the blocks well and strong and Round 5-ish โ second half of April it is school holidays nationally โ and people could set it up and go away with their family.
"Triple headers in some venues, depending on where, but if you are in South Australia there is one venue and youโd just have to make it work and it would be a carnival.
"If you are in Sydney there are a couple of venues, if youโre in Perth thereโs really one, but I think wherever you are there is contemplation of triple-headers."
Howver, Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson claimed via her post on the Nine Network'sย Footy Classified that South Australia would be facing stiff opposition from their northern neighbours.
"It's going to happen (AFL Magic Round) ... make no mistake, this is all about promoting footy in New South Wales, and especially Sydney, where GWS is trying, and failing, to gain an audience," Wilson said.
"There is a great offer from South Australia, which will be the second choice."
"This is all about promoting footy in NSW."
Caroline Wilson reveals the key details about the AFL's plans for a magic round next year, with each club set to get a six-figure injection from the experiment.#9FootyClassified | Watch on @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/ZKXEXEBbzT
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) September 20, 2022
Wilson went on to outline the proposed four-day, three-venue extravaganza as such:
- Will take place between April 13-16.
- 5-6 games hosted at the SCG.
- 2-3 games hosted at Accor Stadium.
- Potentially one game at Blacktown.
- Free for club members.
- At least two doubleheaders.
- Six-figure financial injection for competing clubs.
With the prospect of a premature start to the 2023 season, should the fixture list commence a week earlier, the proposed date for the AFL's inaugural Magic Round is likely to take place during Round 4 of the upcoming campaign.