Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Sign Up Now!

Canberra fc

Looks like we've fumbled the ball and AFL might swoop in again:



AFL and Essendon great James Hird says TV broadcast rights can do the heavy lifting to make a Canberra expansion team sustainable.

The Canberra product threw his weight behind the capital becoming home to a 19th or 20th AFL team, while also being mindful of supporting the GWS Giants.

Hird was back in his city of birth on Wednesday as the guest speaker for the Giants' annual AFL grand final lunch.

A possible Canberra team has been thrust into the spotlight as controversy continues to surround a Tasmanian expansion bid.

The new Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart has become a divisive issue in the Apple Isle - especially after a Tasmanian Planning Commission report recommended against building the new venue.

A new stadium was a requirement of a Tasmanian team getting the licence, with current Premier Jeremy Rockliff continuing to back the project despite the report's recommendation.

It's seen a groundswell of support emerge for a Canberra team after the Giants have created a strong following and good crowds at Manuka Oval since entering the AFL in 2012.

Since then GWS have played three home-and-away games in the capital every season for an average crowd of 10,642 over the past 14 years.

Manuka has a capacity of about 14,500 for AFL games.

Hird backed the competition expansion for another two teams to take the total to 20.

"I'd love to think so. I think a 19th and a 20th [team] makes sense. And wouldn't it be great if it was here," he said on Wednesday.

He felt his home town would be able to sustain a team.

The Giants are partway through a 10-year, $28.5 million deal, which runs until 2032.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has previously said that deal wouldn't stand in the way of a Canberra team.

"It depends on the broadcast rights. Broadcast rights bring in probably 60-70 per cent of your revenue," Hird said of a Canberra team's sustainability.

"So if you can supplement that with something else and the AFL believes that they can sustain a team - yes.

"We see the passion that people have at Manuka for the Giants.

"I wouldn't want to take away from the Giants - we're here at their behest and it's great to be here.

"But wouldn't it be great to have a Canberra team."

Hird stopped short of suggesting what any new Canberra team's name would be.

"Oh no, that's for someone else. I'm not a marketing group. I'm just a footballer, OK, just a footballer," he laughed.

The AFL hall of famer, who won the 1996 Brownlow Medal and two premierships (1993, 2000) with Essendon, was blown away with how far Australian football had come since he lived in Canberra.

Hird grew up in the capital, playing footy for Ainslie, before the Bombers drafted him as a 17-year-old.

He praised the way the Giants had grown the game in the ACT since they joined the AFL.
 
If Canberra gets an AFL team before either an A-League team, or a relatively new rectangular stadium, I will never forgive Andrew Barr's Labor gov.
 
I can see an expansion of Manuka to 20,000 but realistically I cannot see the Federal govt putting money to the NT or the ACT for any other major stadium work or to just run a club so it would be purely on the Territory governments. The only place for a larger stadium would be a rebuild/expansion at Bruce Stadium. Manuka will never be a long term solution though it could be for a Canberra ALM team despite its configuration.

Money is only going to Hobart as part of a revitalization of an area of Hobart. Another WA or South Australia team is much more likely. Both have large stadiums and an extra WA side would likely cut the cost for WCE and the Dockers.

The AFL has informed interested parties that it expects future expansion teams to be able to operate on the average amount of distribution given to other clubs. To satisfy this edict the Tasmanian government agreed to further supplement the Devils with up to $12 million per year.

Even a lean run AFL team costs around $52million a year to run with $14million allocated from the AFL. Can a city the size of Canberra really attract $38million a year of Govt and Corporate support even for a showstring club. what happens if it is a success. It would need to be around or at Bruce Stadium. The federal govt have enough on their plate for stadium work with the Brisbane Olympics coming up so i can't see them kicking in any money until after 2032.
 
What is going to happen, is Barr is going to keep approving and funding 'small' upgrades to Manuka until it gets to that similar attendance capacity as Bruce Stadium is now, and AFL will bring a full time Canberra team in.

Then, he'll turn around and say "Oh,why do you want a new stadium Raiders, Brumbies and prospective A-League team? There's one in Manuka." And it's not going to be fit for purpose due to the lack of facilities nearby, and it's configuration.
patjennings said:
I can see an expansion of Manuka to 20,000 but realistically I cannot see the Federal govt putting money to the NT or the ACT for any other major stadium work or to just run a club so it would be purely on the Territory governments. The only place for a larger stadium would be a rebuild/expansion at Bruce Stadium. Manuka will never be a long term solution though it could be for a Canberra ALM team despite its configuration.

Money is only going to Hobart as part of a revitalization of an area of Hobart. Another WA or South Australia team is much more likely. Both have large stadiums and an extra WA side would likely cut the cost for WCE and the Dockers.

The AFL has informed interested parties that it expects future expansion teams to be able to operate on the average amount of distribution given to other clubs. To satisfy this edict the Tasmanian government agreed to further supplement the Devils with up to $12 million per year.

Even a lean run AFL team costs around $52million a year to run with $14million allocated from the AFL. Can a city the size of Canberra really attract $38million a year of Govt and Corporate support even for a showstring club. what happens if it is a success. It would need to be around or at Bruce Stadium. The federal govt have enough on their plate for stadium work with the Brisbane Olympics coming up so i can't see them kicking in any money until after 2032.
Click to expand...
 
NicCarBel said:
What is going to happen, is Barr is going to keep approving and funding 'small' upgrades to Manuka until it gets to that similar attendance capacity as Bruce Stadium is now, and AFL will bring a full time Canberra team in.

Then, he'll turn around and say "Oh,why do you want a new stadium Raiders, Brumbies and prospective A-League team? There's one in Manuka." And it's not going to be fit for purpose due to the lack of facilities nearby, and it's configuration.
Click to expand...
Maybe - but I just can't see it. I don't think the space around Manuka would allow it. WA and SA have larger populations, are AFL mad and have appropriate stadiums already.
 
I'm usually not one to diss other sports but AFL? Nah sorry Melbournians it's a joke!

I was watching the news the other evening and the Snoop Dogg bit came on. The AFL reporter said something along the lines...

"I'm sure the global audience tuning in for the Grand Final will enjoy seeing Snoop performing..."

I'm sure like every weird and wonderful sport there's a niche following out there but global audience?

Gimme a break....🤣

Give Canberra, the capital city, an international city a football team and let the AFL drown in it's own irrelvance....
 
patjennings said:
Maybe - but I just can't see it. I don't think the space around Manuka would allow it. WA and SA have larger populations, are AFL mad and have appropriate stadiums already.
Click to expand...
You're right - it doesn't make sense. But that's the way the ACT Government works.
 

Canberra A-League Men's investor finalised months ago​

By David Polkinghorne
December 12 2025 - 5:00am

A Canberra A-League Men's team is so near, yet so far.

The Canberra Times can reveal a deal with the bid's preferred investor was finalised months ago, but the process has stalled right on the verge of being sealed.

It's believed there is a back-up plan, with talks reopening with previous investors who expressed interest in a Canberra team in the past.
The news comes after the 1000th day passed on Tuesday since the Australian Professional Leagues, who run the A-Leagues, announced Canberra as one of its preferred expansion locations way back on March 15, 2023.
There's also added time pressure as the ALM transfer window draws nearer, with it set to open on January 14.
The window's closing on February 10 could spell the end of a Canberra team's chances of playing in the 2026-27 ALM season, which would kick off in October, potentially delaying them for at least another year.
It's believed talks for a Canberra A-League Men's team have stalled. Pictures by Keegan Carroll and Carlos Furtado


It's believed talks for a Canberra A-League Men's team have stalled. Pictures by Keegan Carroll and Carlos Furtado
A new club would need to have enough time to sign players, with the January transfer window previously cited as a cut-off date for the following campaign.
It's believed bid-leader Michael Caggiano put the current deal together, but The Canberra Times has been unable to contact Caggiano.
The Canberra Times has also asked to speak to APL chairman Stephen Conroy.
If the deal has stalled, for reasons unknown, it raises the question whether the capital is set to lose the ALM team that's been a dream since 2008.
It could also be a death knell for A-League Women's club Canberra United, with Capital Football stating this season will be the last they'll run the ALW club.
The lack of a backer could spell the end for them.
There's been plenty of false dawns during those 17 years and the ACT could be looking at another one, with concerns the current deal is taking too long to seal.
There are also concerns the current investors, who are the APL's preferred bidder, have developed cold feet.
The Canberra Times believes bid-leader Michael Caggiano finalised a deal with an investor months ago, but talks have stalled. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong


The Canberra Times believes bid-leader Michael Caggiano finalised a deal with an investor months ago, but talks have stalled. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong
The ALM is committed to expansion for its next TV deal, with the current one with Network 10 and Paramount+ expiring at the end of this season.
It's hoped a Canberra team would take the ALM to a 14-team competition, leading to an extra game for prospective broadcasters to televise.
There's also the threat of other cities pushing for an ALM team in Canberra's place.
The Gold Coast previously had a team until it was dumped from the A-League in 2012.
They're still keen to return, while it's believed Tasmania is also starting to make some noise.
In a glimmer of hope, the delay has led to talks reopening with investors who expressed an interest in the bid previously.
The bid has come close to sealing an owner a couple of times, with investor funds getting caught up in AUSTRAC - the federal government's Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, which looks into foreign investment - at one point.
There was also plenty of hope floating around Canberra Stadium in March last year.
ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry, government officials and Capital Football were all rubbing shoulders with the then potential investors in a corporate suite at Canberra Stadium during the Socceroos game against Lebanon.
It was hoped 21 months ago it wouldn't be long before a Canberra team was announced.
Those hopes still remain. But so do the fears the current investor has cold feet.


www.canberratimes.com.au

Canberra A-League Men's investor finalised months ago

But it's believed talks have stalled amid concerns of cold feet.
www.canberratimes.com.au www.canberratimes.com.au
 
Newly installed A-League chief Steve Rosich won't rule out the prospect of a Canberra men's side or Western United in the 2026-27 season
Click to expand...

www.espn.com.au

A-League chief reveals high interest in Mariners license

Newly installed A-League chief Steve Rosich won't rule out the prospect of a Canberra men's side or Western United in the 2026-27 season, while interest to purchase the Mariners builds.
www.espn.com.au www.espn.com.au
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top