
Why so sure the Riverina would support Canberra? They’d watch them play but that doesn’t mean they’d support them (see Giants and Canberra).Proximity to the Riverina region is potentially a massive positive for the Canberra bid, if they can utilise it correctly. We've all seen/heard of the ridiculous talent that's come from the Riverina (Bunton, Carey, Crawford and the Danihers just to name a few) and if they could combine that rich Riverina footy history with the local Canberra footy scene to create a seamless zone that's seen as the one area by players and fans alike, then you're loooking at a pretty strong supporter base + academy zone.
If Canberra is chosen as the 20th AFL licence, then I'd certainly be insisting on at least two of their games being played in Wagga Wagga every year so majority of Riverina footy fans can get to the games to support them and watch some of their local hereos play at the highest level in front of a 'hometown' crowd. Then you'll have hardcore Riverina fans that will be willing to drive the 3h to watch home games in Canberra because it's legitimately close enough to do that, but the masses need at least a couple with an hour or two of their hometown to get onboard.
Canberra would probably be one of the most hated teams in the game, but they could use that to their advantage.
I’m not sure they should risk Canberra splitting games like the Giants are. Play all 11 at Manuka.
And I’ve been told Wagga Wagga doesn’t have an AFL standard ground. They need that first.
I can see players from the Riverina playing for Canberra because they’re close to home but I don’t think that would translate to Riverina fans of the club.