12 March 2006

Roos future on the Gold Coast, not in Canberra?

| johnboy
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I’ve never really gotten into the North Melbourne Kangaroos, mostly because they’ve never been willing to really get into Canberra.

Today’s Age discusses the troubled team and concludes that the Gold Coast is the answer and effectively writes Canberra off.

Surely if Geelong can support an AFL team so can Canberra?

It’s not like it was so long ago we were an AFL town that all the fans have died.

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i actually think that a team like north could have a future in the act. like any business venture, its a risk. for a national league, i think theres more chance of success for north and afl in canberra than two rugby teams here.

i note that the brumbies are no longer the act brumbies.

North are a pretty good team with a small support base. I think its great that we at least get to see some AFL in Canberra, if we let it go this chance won’t come again for another generation.

barking toad4:14 pm 13 Mar 06

North has pathetic support in Melbourne let alone anywhere else. Any game at Manuka will have more people decked out in other teams clobber (and not necessarily the opposition of the day)than North gear.

Can’t see the council renewing the deal especially now North have got greedy. The council’s broke in any case and simon needs some dough to drill his hole in the ridge for the warp speed buses.

burnoboy_no33:13 pm 13 Mar 06

i agree with thumper, we are pretty spoilt for footyteams considering the size of the place. considering this, a piss poor footy team like the roos will never cut it here.
of all the people that i know that go to roos, games in canberra go to see whoever else is playing, not the roos.

on another note, footy park is in top nick isnt it!

i agree with thumper. the afl missed its opportunity back in the 80’a.

i do hear older residents say that prior to the raiders starting up, canberra was an afl town.

as soon as kids had mal meninga posters and green shirts to wear their allegiances went to rugby pretty quick.

i like watching the manuka afl matches, but dont feel any allegiance to north melbourne.

that being said, if north did relocate here – i’d become a member.

to me theres only footy seasons and waiting for the next season.

i like watching footy played at the manuka oval because it reminds me of the old suburban grounds like windy hill and the lakeside ground.

Growling Ferret12:53 pm 13 Mar 06

The Gold Coast is full of ex-pat Victorians – and a generation of kids who have seen the Brisbane Lions win 3 flags in a row. There is almost a market for a team to be based there permanently.

With the immenent introduction of the Gold Coast League team, the AFL is trying to get a hold on the market before it all gets swept a way by the Leaguies…

barking toad9:57 am 13 Mar 06

The AFL see the Gold Coast as an obvious area for expansion and are playing pre-season games up there. The ground at Carrara has been re-developed and I’m sure the AFL sees a side based there some time in the not to distant future.

North’s foray into Canberra is a failure as was their attempt to crack the Sydney market and the attempt to get the local council to double the underwritten profit for playing at Manuka will fail.

They should merge with Carlton and then relocate to the Gold Coast. The Pauperoos and the BankruptBlooze.

OK, vic, if all you say is true, what question did they ask to get an answer “The Gold Coast”?

Vic Bitterman9:09 pm 12 Mar 06

I must comment about this JB :

“Surely if Geelong can support an AFL team so can Canberra?”

JB, you seriously need to examine the ethos and drive of Melbourne society, and see how the local footy teams evolved into what they are today. over the past 100 years or so.

Your argument sounds based upon population???

It’s got zero to do whether Geelong can support a team or not; rather ‘history’ and the way that it goes.

AFL today has evolved from a pure Melbourne based local competition into a larger Australian based game, which a lot of people still can’t handle.

Whether Geelong can support a team and Bredbo cannot in the AFL is immaterial.

It’s just the way it goes – historically based.

Do some research on VFA, VFL and AFL. After doing so, you’ll realise why Geelong has a team.

Take it from the grass roots – this Carlton supporter is a born and bred AFL supporter – growing up in west-suburban Werribee, going to uni in Geelong and eventually settling in Canberra 15 years ago.

You can’t argue with history – and you can’t use history as your argument base either!

I meant this in the nicest possible way too mate – I love my AFL, although these days, I love my league even more!!!!!!

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