Expansion Canberra

[Coolangatta]

North was also released a year early from their contract on the Gold Coast, so there's definitely precedent.

What’s the earliest you think Canberra could come in? I’m thinking 2031. It won’t be a year after Tassie and two years is probably too soon as well.

 

[TheTassieHawk]

What’s the earliest you think Canberra could come in? I’m thinking 2031. It won’t be a year after Tassie and two years is probably too soon as well.

Assuming the new Tassie stadium does get approved by late 2025 and firms up the 19th licence by late 2025 the earliest a 20th licence would be announced would be sometime in 2026.

When the possible 20th team started would depend on whether a suitable stadium is ready to go, if so 2029 or 2030 may be possible, if not IMO I agree that 2031 or 2032 is definitely far more likely.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Assuming the new Tassie stadium does get approved by late 2025 and firms up the 19th licence by late 2025 the earliest a 20th licence would be announced would be sometime in 2026.





When the possible 20th team started would depend on whether a suitable stadium is ready to go, if so 2029 or 2030 may be possible, if not IMO I agree that 2031 or 2032 is definitely far more likely.

I think Manuka will be the biggest factor. We don't have a time frame yet of when to expect the upgrade by. It should be a simpler job than Mac Point. It's an unknown at the moment, but I wouldn't be surprised if Manuka is ready first.

I think the other factor is the AFL balancing how long they want Tasmania and the draft to settle vs how long they want byes.

I think Canberra could be ready to go from the same time as Tasmania in 2028, but it'd probably be at least 2030-2031 to let things settle. They'd be cautious after bringing in the Giants immediately after the Suns.

 

[Badger17]

I think Manuka will be the biggest factor. We don't have a time frame yet of when to expect the upgrade by. It should be a simpler job than Mac Point. It's an unknown at the moment, but I wouldn't be surprised if Manuka is ready first.

I think the other factor is the AFL balancing how long they want Tasmania and the draft to settle vs how long they want byes.

I think Canberra could be ready to go from the same time as Tasmania in 2028, but it'd probably be at least 2030-2031 to let things settle. They'd be cautious after bringing in the Giants immediately after the Suns.

Not to be a downer, but this all assumes that there'll be tangible progress on the Manuka upgrades, which isn't a given.

I'm not saying it won't happen, but our government is notorious for dragging these projects out of the cupboard in the lead up to an election only to shove them back in afterward. The most famous example is that they've promised a new rectangular stadium at each election since 2008, and I wouldn't be surprised to see progress on the next stage of upgrades to Manuka quietly disappearing for 4 years as well.

Personally I think future upgrades to Manuka will rely a lot on how negotiations progress with CA and potentially the AFL.

 

[Badger17]

Exactly. They know we'll show up regardless, so it doesn't matter what they give us. Which I think is disrespectful.

I think the Port game is the least likely to sell out. Might be a hard sell. June night game is going to be cold! Hopefully they schedule the North game at a reasonable hour.

Some of us are going to have to get used to night games in winter if we want our own team.