This news clearly demonstrates the nationwide appeal and support for "Australia's Game". A "major media event on the national calender" as the Minister puts it. Good on you QLD government and taxpayers. =D>
AFL in talks to make Gold Coast permanent home of national draft
Andrew Hamilton
The Courier-Mail
November 20, 2013 2:35PM
THE draft is set to find a permanent home on the Gold Coast with the AFL entering talks with the Queensland Government on a new long-term deal.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou has also floated the prospect Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium could be the base for a revamped International Rules series.
The recent series was a flop with an Indigenous All Stars team losing 2-0 to the Irish in Ireland and the tour attracting negative publicity over the Australian side's off-field behaviour.
But Demetriou said the concept had been a major discussion point at this week's AFL Commission meeting.
He said there was a push towards making the All-Australian side the team to compete in the series to add prestige to the event.
"I hope we don't finish the International Rules on that note," he said.
"It was disappointing what happened in Ireland but our Irish counterparts are very keen to come to Australia.
"We are committed to working through that issue and trying to get it right."
Demetriou was at Metricon Stadium on today with Queensland Major Events minister Jan Stuckey to officially launch the draft.
He has long held the view the Gold Coast was the perfect venue for the biggest off-field event on the AFL's calendar.
"It is a really wonderful fit having the draft on the Gold Coast," he said.
"It really is a fantastic place to be this time of the year and hosting one of our premier events, the national draft."
The existing deal with the Queensland Government expires after tomorrow night's annual player lottery.
But Minister Stuckey revealed premier Campbell Newman's LNP Government were open to extending the deal.
"We are thrilled to have the draft here, it is a major media event on the national calendar," she said.
"The Newman Government proudly supports a number of events but particularly sporting events that recognise young talent and we have an explosion of it right here.
"We'll be sitting down in the near future to discuss the future, we welcome the AFL draft here on the coast."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6764464004