SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

US could host Giant start to AFL season

The AFL might stage a stand-alone season opener in the United States if GWS's push to play a home game in America is given the green light.

Jeremy Cameron
GWS star Jeremy Cameron (C) is excited by the prospect of playing an AFL season opener in the USA. (AAP)

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

The United States might host a star-studded, stand-alone start to the AFL season if GWS's bid to play a game for premiership points in America gets off the ground.

The Giants and the AFL are in the early stages of discussions on the prospect of taking a regular-season match to the US.

Finding a suitable ground in a country full of rectangular stadiums is among the most challenging of several hurdles.

Officials are following with interest Philadelphia-based businessman Jignesh Pandya's $2.4-billion vision to spread cricket across his homeland, by constructing new oval stadiums in eight cities.

Another tricky part of the puzzle will be fitting the venture into the fixture in a manner that satisfies all 18 clubs.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

AAP understands one scenario being looked at is for the US contest to double as a stand-alone season opener, with the rest of round one to be staged the following weekend.

The AFL opted for a stand-alone start in 2012 to maximise interest in the inaugural Sydney derby between the Giants and Sydney, ensuring it had the full attention of fans around Australia.

Major League Baseball did something similar in 2014, starting their season with sold-out SCG crowds watching a series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The stand-alone start would ensure both teams travelling to the US were given a sufficient break while not disrupting the rest of round one.

St Kilda's short-lived New Zealand experiment was held in rounds five (2013), six (2014) and four (2015) before being scuppered.

The sides involved in Port Adelaide's Shanghai match, first played in 2017, have enjoyed their mid-season byes after the trip to China.

Jeremy Cameron, a foundation Giant and this season's Coleman medal leader, is excited about the prospect of playing a home game in the US.

"It'd be unreal," Cameron told AAP.

"I'd be in support - absolutely. It'd be awesome to get overseas and play some footy, showcase our game over there.

"If it happens, hopefully I'm at full-forward."

California looms as the most likely US state to host the game because of its relative proximity.

The AFL staged a 2006 Los Angeles exhibition match but the oval used for that game had changed to synthetic turf, meaning it could no longer be considered.

GWS coach Leon Cameron, who featured in London exhibition games during his playing career, also threw his support behind the project.

"The thing I like about our club is that we're bold and we want to be aggressive in terms of promoting the game and our footy club," Cameron said last week.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world