AFL expansion is back on the agenda with SANFL powerhouse Norwood reportedly keen to claim the 20th license, should it be awarded.
With the Tasmania Devils set to join the league in 2028, it’s expected the league will eventually seek another new club to ensure a valuable 10th weekly game is added to the TV rights deal.
The Northern Territory, a third team in Western Australia or a Canberra side are viewed as some of the leading options but a third team in South Australia is also likely to be considered given the state’s passion for Aussie rules.
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That has the Redlegs, whose home ground Norwood Oval will host two AFL games during Gather Round, keen to throw their hat into the ring according to Seven Adelaide’s Josh Money.
“Redlegs officials are desperate to showcase their club on the national stage (in Gather Round),” Money said on Wednesday evening.
“While the club is yet to make an official bid to follow the newly-formed Tasmanian side into the league, it’s understood Norwood believes it should be at the front of the queue if and when a 20th AFL license becomes available.
“Boasting major South Australian partners including Wolf Blass and Coopers, the SANFL’s highest game attendances and a ground already hosting AFL and AFLW games, Norwood thinks it’s the best-placed club in Australia on and off the field.”
He added: “Given the structures already in place Norwood believe they could join at the same time (as Tasmania) and steal thousands of members from both the Crows and the Power.”
A Norwood source told Money: “If a spot becomes available, look out.”
Norwood sits behind only Port Adelaide in terms of SANFL success, with 31 premierships.
Speculation emerged last year about their interest in the 20th license but at the time, Redlegs chief executive James Fantasia denied the reports.
“There has certainly been no consortiums or discussions of anything of that nature. There is absolutely no substance there, 100 per cent there isn’t,” he told News Corp.
“We are totally committed to the SANFL competition and starting our season on a good note on Friday night.
“Right now there is certainly nothing coming from our end.”
But a year on, and with the Devils further progressed, the need for a 20th club is more pressing.
“They’ve got a great ground, they’ve got great history, they’re doing great stuff in the SANFL,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said on Wednesday.
“I think a lot of people like the even numbers (with a 20th team) but there’s nothing that says you have to. And what we want to do is, if we expand, do it in a sustainable way.”
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