I still don't get the point you are trying to make .
Are you trying to make a point ?

.

Thought about this for a few days now. But I cant help but believe that the AFL has missed the bus (relating to SEQLD)

First it was 2015 that QLD would get its 2nd license, maybe 2010 when the Roo's current deal runs out. But will that be to late??

The Titans are having some unexpected success in their first year, and have won about 3/4 of their home games. Next year they move into their own purpose built rectangular stadium. The NRL has stated that within 10years they will examine the possibility of another NRL team in SEQLD.

So has AFL missed the bus? Certainly if they wait for 2015, 2010 might be the last bus for a while...

Depends on a lot of things. Perhaps by 2010 the novelty of the Titans will have worn off and they'll be back drawing 5,000 crowds like every other Gold Coast rugby league team that's ever existed.

... So has AFL missed the bus? Certainly if they wait for 2015, 2010 might be the last bus for a while...

TBH I'd be surprised if the Titans ever average under 15K.


I don't think it's too late for the GC to host an AFL team. Obviously, by the time a team is put there it'll have to compete with the well established NRL, ARC and NBL teams for crowds and corporate sponsorship. Not to mention that the A-League will very likely have a team there by 08/09, so there will be that bandwagon to deal with aswell. IMO that'll just mean the AFL will have to fork out the big bucks to keep it afloat, which isn't such a problem considering the AFL's track-record.

Sheedy sought to push case

GOLD Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has called on the league to appoint Kevin Sheedy as an AFL ambassador to hasten the arrival of a second club in Queensland.

Clarke says the AFL must not delay the arrival of a team on the Gold Coast, and believes Sheedy would be the perfect spruiker for the game.

"It would be fantastic. Kevin has been the best advocate for Australian rules in footy that we have seen, virtually all over the world.

"He always promotes wherever he goes. You get him and the players out there promoting, and somehow or other he generates spirit among the players and among the spectators. He gets out and talks and makes controversial statements, and does all the right PR things.

"He has been excellent in that way. Whatever you may or may not think of him as coach, he has been fantastic at the football club and the AFL in everything else he has done."

The AFL has already offered Sheedy a position within the league, and is aware it needs to push the game into western Sydney and southeast Queensland.

Clarke, who set 19 running world records and lit the Olympic flame at the 1956 Games in Melbourne, said the AFL could make a massive splash by enticing Sheedy.

Essendon is one of the most popular teams on the Gold Coast, and last year lured 13,269 fans to a low-key NAB Cup game against the Lions.

"The AFL needs to make a commitment but if we could get someone of his reputation, it would be terrific. Most of all we need a team, and if the team is winning that is ideal," Clarke said.

"Kevin would initiate a lot of corporate support as well. Essendon are massive. If they put Essendon up there we would fill a big stadium.

"Whether it is North Melbourne or someone else, as long as we know there is a commitment there, that is the most important issue.

"Otherwise we think we can get the level of support we are getting now, but we want to take it up a notch.

"We are getting 10-12,000, but we think we have the potential to get 15-17,000."

Sheedy sought to push case

GOLD Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has called on the league to appoint Kevin Sheedy as an AFL ambassador to hasten the arrival of a second club in Queensland.... "The AFL needs to make a commitment but if we could get someone of his reputation, it would be terrific. Most of all we need a team, and if the team is winning that is ideal," Clarke said. ... Essendon are massive. If they put Essendon up there we would fill a big stadium. ..."