Is Newcastle ready for an AFL team?

[Milhouse2011]

As someone who grew up in Newcastle, I'm genuinely surprised that the AFL hasn't established a team there. AFL is growing in popularity and the population is large enough for an AFL team to be there. If you disagree with me, you're a tree hugging hippie.

You're welcome.

 

[Kwality]

As someone who grew up in Newcastle, I'm genuinely surprised that the AFL hasn't established a team there. AFL is growing in popularity and the population is large enough for an AFL team to be there. If you disagree with me, you're a tree hugging hippie.

You're welcome.

Lets grab a bunch of second tier footballers & call them AFL footballers ....

 

[Milhouse2011]

Lets grab a bunch of second tier footballers & call them AFL footballers ....

That wasn't a very nice or constructive comment.

You're welcome.

 

[Kwality]

That wasn't a very nice or constructive comment.

You're welcome.

Its reality, see the addition of GWS & the Suns. I support that expansion & am not against Newcastle BUT lets call a spade a spade ...

 

[jim boy]

Well any location could get an AFL team, so a better way of handling this would be to ask "how many teams would have to be in the competition before Newcastle gets a gig", I reckon about 35 sounds about right.

 

[Milhouse2011]

Well any location could get an AFL team, so a better way of handling this would be to ask "how many teams would have to be in the competition before Newcastle gets a gig", I reckon about 35 sounds about right.

The only realistic way Newcastle can get an AFL team is for a current team to relocate.

 

[GoldenMagpie16]

TASMANIA IS NEXT. Newcastle is a long way off.

 

[Milhouse2011]

TASMANIA IS NEXT. Newcastle is a long way off.

Newcastle has a more viable location and has a population which is better suited to AFL.

You're welcome.

 

[Hoops]

Newcastle is like Western Sydney with 1/3 of the population. Not going to work.

I'm welcome

 

[Simche]

So having a quick glance at the long term projection of population and NSW is looking at 11-16m by 2066. Most of that however is in 'Greater Sydney'.

Newcastle City is set to get to about 200k by the 2040s...... That's still smaller than Geelong right now. Would need to significantly involve the extra 200-300k in the surrounding area. Don't think it looks likely on that basis.

When you compare with Hobart looking like 600k by 2050 (the TAS Govt strategy) and already being in football heartland it's a pretty easy choice to make. Should probably also consider extra teams in Perth and Brisbane before Newcastle, Canberra or NT given those cities are growing to 3.5 and 4 million plus in the next 28 years and only have two teams in town.

 

[newcastlefalcon]

I previously lived in Newcastle and coached under age AFL there too.
There is a strong AFL base there but not sure a step straight into AFL is the way to go as I think both Tasmania and Northern Territory are well in front in terms of talent.
It is quite a time since I was living in Newcastle but maybe entry into the second tier east coast competition is a better goal.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Bendigo will get a team before Newcastle.


Hint: not ever.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Newcastle is like Western Sydney with 1/3 of the population. Not going to work.

I'm welcome

Newcastle is very vocal in support for their local teams. A team set up there would be similar to the Melbourne Storm in the nrl.

Of corse, the AFL isn't interested in attendance or support. They're interested in the corporate dollar

 

[Sky]

Bendigo will get a team before Newcastle.


Hint: not ever.

We are bigger than the Gold Coast ain’t we? I mean I’d rather a Darwin side first and foremost since I spent a decade up there but I’d consider dropping Geelong for Darwin or Newcastle in a heartbeat.

From a money and growth standpoint Newcastle is the smartest investment this league could ever make.

 

[jim boy]

Newcastle is very vocal in support for their local teams. A team set up there would be similar to the Melbourne Storm in the nrl.

LOL - more like Bendigo Storm than Melbourne Storm