Outgoing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has boldly declared Queensland is an “AFL state” with extra members in Australian Rules than rugby league as questions over the Gold Coast Suns floor following the sacking of coach Stuart Dew.
While the Brisbane Lions sit third on the ladder and stay among the many premiership favourites, the Suns are 14th and dealing with the prospect of failing to make the finals once more, having by no means performed within the post-season.
That lack of enchancment resulted in Dew’s sacking this week after six seasons in cost, and the membership stays an AFL downside regardless of a whole lot of thousands and thousands of {dollars} of funding by the league.
But McLachlan, who shall be changed by colleague Andrew Dillon this yr, mentioned the inroads the AFL had made in Queensland by having two golf equipment confirmed the overriding profit, even claiming participation outstripped rugby league within the state.
“The growth in the football in Queensland has been dramatic, on the Gold Coast particularly,” McLachlan informed 3AW on Friday.
“We’ll have more participants this year in Queensland than the NRL – first time we’ll break that record.
“The ratings are comparable to South Australia, we will be the biggest sport in that market in Queensland in five to 10 years across most metrics.
“Queensland is pumping and becoming an AFL state. But (Gold Coast) haven’t played finals yet and they need to and the board want them to and that’s why they are making these tough decisions.”
But McLachlan was adamant the Suns weren’t a “basket case” and can be supported by the league.
“Two weeks ago they sold out the game against Collingwood. They have made a decision that feels like a club that has decided to grow up in my view,” he informed 3AW.
“And there is a new chairman (Bob East) who has made a very difficult decision and these things play out publicly and I feel for Stuart Dew and his family. It’s very tough, but this is a decision of a football club that says, ‘We are playing finals, we haven’t played finals with Stuart in six years’, and they are making a hard-edged football decision that feels like they are growing up, personally.
“It’s the right decision because they want to play finals.”
Speculation stays rife that triple-premiership profitable Richmond coach Damien Hardwick may take over in 2024 after stepping away from the Tigers earlier this season.
Originally revealed as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says AFL shall be greater than NRL in Queensland
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
