1. Do the Lions have the smallest membership base in the AFL?
2. Are the 40,000 Southport members more interested in playing pokies or supporting an AFL team?
3. Do the crowds and TV ratings prove that RL is more popular than AFL on the Gold Coast?
Here's an update on the Government funding issue that you might find useful...
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 11,00.html
AFL's Coast plans grounded
By Matt Marshall
November 21, 2007 THE AFL's quest to establish a team on the Gold Coast is in jeopardy, with the State Government yet to commit to a Carrara Stadium facelift.
A spokesman for Premier Anna Bligh last night poured cold water on the AFL's hopes to finalise an agreement on a redeveloped Carrara within a fortnight - the timeline given for the Kangaroos to decide their future by choosing to remain in Melbourne or relocating to the Gold Coast in 2010.
The AFL, which tabled a $100 million relocation offer to the Roos last Friday, has acknowledged redevelopment of the stadium is a must to establish the Roos or a 17th side on the Gold Coast.
Finalising a redevelopment commitment for Carrara remains the only grey area of the offer but is far from a done deal, according to the Premier's office.
"We can confirm the Premier and the Government have had tentative discussions with the AFL but there is a long, long way to go with this and the Government has reached no position," the spokesman said. "We're not talking time frames."
AFL corporate affairs manager Brian Walsh remains hopeful a deal can be struck.
"We're talking to a range of stakeholders," Walsh said.
Gold Coast City Council, named as a third party in discussions by the AFL, has played down its role in negotiations.
Mayor Ron Clarke says his council has committed itself to leasing the stadium's land (valued at more than $30 million) but would not foot the bill for any part of a stadium redevelopment.
"One of the items the AFL said to North Melbourne was that it was reliant on them being able to provide Carrara or a similar stadium up here," Clarke said.
"Council won't be able to do much for them besides providing the basic lease for the stadium. Then they have to find ways and means to build the grandstands and work out an arrangement with the State Government if they feel they'll support them."
With the Roos given a two-week window to decide whether to relocate, the AFL was desperate to secure an agreement with the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council within that period.
That now appears all but skittled.
But a $10.5 million redevelopment of Arden St, North Melbourne's traditional base, will go ahead regardless of whether the Roos relocate.
Carrara's poor condition remains a major hurdle in the AFL's bid to establish a team on the Gold Coast.
The latest news comes after Gold Coast Titans (NRL) chief executive Michael Searle questioned the level of finances the AFL had committed to Carrara.
"The AFL know it is not going to be an easy road ahead here, but I still doubt that it ($100 million) is enough money to sustain the black hole that Carrara will create for an AFL team," Searle told the Gold Coast News.
"I think they have understated the amount of investment they need."
