Wellington aren't a problem. They just had over 10k last weekend.
A-League The A-League Expansion Thread
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A-League
Wellington aren't a problem. They just had over 10k last weekend.
Love the pluckyness of Wellington, and their mad fans, but the NZ component of the rights is pretty small.
Going back to Auckland makes about as much sense as going back to the GC. They had their chance, and had to move to Wellington to become a club.
Canberra can support a team, but it's a city of 400k, half the size of Western Melbourne.
Raiders get around 13k when the team is good, and the Brumbies attract around 8k. So whilst they might be able to attract around 5k, I don't see it being a big boom for the comp.
Raiders get around 13k when the team is good, and the Brumbies attract around 8k. So whilst they might be able to attract around 5k, I don't see it being a big boom for the comp.
Andonis1997
Sporting masochist
nobbyiscool
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 11, 2006
- 23,195
- 25,705
- AFL Club
- Tasmania
- Other Teams
- TasTigers, JJs, MV, CRaiders, PhEagles
Problem child...
Elaborate, and be very careful with what you say next
Threats?
**** off.
Quivorir
"Unhinged"
- Mar 29, 2010
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- LAL-MMA-Victory-CFC-Seahawks
Lighten up mate. It wasn't a threat.
Andonis1997
Sporting masochist
It definitely not a serious threat! Just playing around
I was just wanting the justification for calling the Nix a problem child - Wellington and NZ are far from a problem in the APL's eyes if they want another NZ team
nobbyiscool
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 11, 2006
- 23,195
- 25,705
- AFL Club
- Tasmania
- Other Teams
- TasTigers, JJs, MV, CRaiders, PhEagles
It definitely not a serious threat! Just playing around
I was just wanting the justification for calling the Nix a problem child - Wellington and NZ are far from a problem in the APL's eyes if they want another NZ team
You're very aware that I was one of very few people supporting the Nux going back 4(ish?) years when they were struggling to have their license renewed.
We all know the problems with Wellington despite the improvements (albeit short term ones) post COVID.
Andonis1997
Sporting masochist
Thank you for supporting us through that, but despite the "problems" (which were just logistical, if I'm reading the room right) we've been a competitive side pre- and post-COVID. We've got a core 5k+ fanbase rocking up to games, which is on par with most of the league right now and have a great squad.
I wish we had a rectangular stadium to play out of (which would influence the masses to come for the atmosphere) but that's our only hurdle at the moment
nobbyiscool
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 11, 2006
- 23,195
- 25,705
- AFL Club
- Tasmania
- Other Teams
- TasTigers, JJs, MV, CRaiders, PhEagles
Thank you for supporting us through that, but despite the "problems" (which were just logistical, if I'm reading the room right) we've been a competitive side pre- and post-COVID. We've got a core 5k+ fanbase rocking up to games, which is on par with most of the league right now and have a great squad.
I wish we had a rectangular stadium to play out of (which would influence the masses to come for the atmosphere) but that's our only hurdle at the moment
The fact that they're as bad as everyone else isn't a positive thing, and if we were admitting clubs in the hope of a 5k fan base attending every games then we're cooked.
I don't have a problem with the Nux, never have - I think they add a point of difference to the league, which is why I wanted them kept around.
But they have been nowhere near successful enough to warrant another NZ team in a market where the A-League has already failed.
The positive is I guess altruistic, in that I think it adds to the development of NZ football by creating more opportunities. Which I guess is good if the medium-long term plan is to go back to Oceania, or if the FIFA/AFC/OFC plan is to split Asia and half and fold Oceania into East Asia - even that I could live with. But let's not pretend Auckland should've been a priority.
Where would the Auckland based team play out of?
The NZ Knights played out of North Harbour which had a good capacity (14,000 seats) but apparently it was not in the heart of the CBD.
Eden Park would be too big to play out of except for derbies perhaps.
The Warriors stadium has a capacity of 30,000 so you would think that would be too big as well?
The NZ Knights played out of North Harbour which had a good capacity (14,000 seats) but apparently it was not in the heart of the CBD.
Eden Park would be too big to play out of except for derbies perhaps.
The Warriors stadium has a capacity of 30,000 so you would think that would be too big as well?
- Moderator
- #1,064
Stuff
www.stuff.co.nz
Calling North Harbour Stadium in Albany at the far northern end of Auckland home was seen as a key weakness of the Knights and Townsend said Mt Smart Stadium in Penrose, best known as the home of the Warriors, was seen as the ideal base for a new club.
The article above says most likely out of Mt. Smart stadium.
- Sep 2, 2014
- 16,668
- 32,014
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Liverpool
I can see Tassie getting shafted which will be extremely disappointing. There's such an appetite for the game down here but I totally understand the reluctance of business people to put a lot of time, money and effort into putting proposals together when the place is treated like a red (two)headed stepchild on the sporting landscape.
Only need to look at how the AFL are treating the state to see that it's still looked at commercially like it was in the 90s.
As someone who has made some good (and equally horrific) investments before I would be very confident in a club in Hobart being a huge success story.
Only need to look at how the AFL are treating the state to see that it's still looked at commercially like it was in the 90s.
As someone who has made some good (and equally horrific) investments before I would be very confident in a club in Hobart being a huge success story.
The big sticking point for Tasmania is an appropriate rectangular stadium.
While North Hobart looked ok for a Western United game I hate seeing highlights of WU games at Ballarat and when they played a game at Whitten Oval.
The Jackjumpers were able to get a refurbished entertainment centre as part of their entry and are now seeking an increased capacity so if the government can offer the same support then I agree a Tasmanian side could be viable.
- Sep 2, 2014
- 16,668
- 32,014
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Liverpool
North Hobart is a very small Aussie Rules ground and wouldn't take much to make it an awesome boutique stadium. Also walking distance to North Hobart precinct with heaps of pubs and bars. Could easily set up an academy/training facility over the highway and have this as matchday parking as well.
Sitting behind the goals looking back up towards Mt Wellington would make it a very unique stadium. At present there's cruise ships coming in every other day bringing in thousands upon thousands of tourists that you could capitalise on during the summer. If you can get 5k on a rainy day to watch Western United play there you'd get that on your worst day to see a Tasmanian team.
nobbyiscool
Brownlow Medallist
- Aug 11, 2006
- 23,195
- 25,705
- AFL Club
- Tasmania
- Other Teams
- TasTigers, JJs, MV, CRaiders, PhEagles
Yep, North Hobart has always been the perfect solution, because you probably only need to rebuild about a third of the ground to make a rectangle field anyway. It'll be a large-ish rectangle field, but it'd be more than adequate.
- Sep 2, 2014
- 16,668
- 32,014
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Liverpool
And it comes with ready made heritage, which even though isn't football related gives it some long time serving grace.
As someone who has never lived in Hobart until a few months ago it seems like it has the makings of something special. Hobart reminds me of small English type grounds, absolute legit.
The A-Leagues' $150 million dollar question
Fresh off what can best be described as a tumultuous season, finding owners for two clubs and establishing four new franchises is high on the A-Leagues' agenda. But where is the money coming from?
- Dec 22, 2009
- 67,793
- 42,305
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Matildas/Socceroos/LFC/MVFC/RCStrasbourg
The TAS govt really should be looking at a 15k multipurpose rectangular stadium that can be transformed into a concert venue.
Meanwhile, an announcement is imminent about the new clubs from Auckland and Canberra that will join the A-League in the 2024-25 season.
heck
heck
- Moderator
- #1,074
any links? I know about Auckland but not Canberra and 24/25 sounds a little to soon imo
- Dec 22, 2009
- 67,793
- 42,305
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Matildas/Socceroos/LFC/MVFC/RCStrasbourg
Agree. 2 years needed min to establish an A-League club.
I'd like to see them enter 25/26 alongside the first season of NSD.
