A concept image for a Civic stadium in 2022. The proposed stadium did not cater to the needs of AFL but was considered for rugby union, rugby league and football. Photo: GHDWoodhead.
An AFL team in Canberra has been a long-dormant dream, but recent comments from Andrew Barr seemingly endorsing the idea will bring hope to many.
Former ACT Chief Magistrate Ron Cahill campaigned for a Canberra-based AFL side; not a new club from scratch, but the relocation of an existing team from Melbourne.
In 1993, he launched his bid with backing from the then Chief Minister Rosemary Follett. The bid reached its zenith when Fitzroy played the West Coast in a premiership game at Bruce Stadium in 1995.
Ron had the ability to present a clear and rational case for an AFL team in the nation’s capital.
The air seemed to go out of the balloon, though, despite Ron’s passion for the concept. His vision failed to become a reality.
Fitzroy had been courted as a club destined for co-location to Canberra, with proposals for a gradual withdrawal from their Melbourne base.
But Fitzroy was a financial basket case and any move would have required deep pockets.
In 1996, Fitzroy became the Brisbane Bears, then the Brisbane Lions, and many felt that it was an opportunity lost for Canberra, while others believed it was never going to happen in the first place, given Fitzroy’s financial woes.
There has been somewhat of a lull in the campaign for the past 19 years, with the ACT seemingly content with clubs such as North Melbourne and, more recently, GWS being financially rewarded for playing games in Canberra.
Over a number of seasons, the GWS Giants have played some home games at Manuka Oval. Photo: Supplied.
With GWS proving there is a strong base of support for AFL games in the ACT, there are again murmurings of revisiting the AFL for Canberra campaign.
Whether it is just a conversation or it has the potential to become a full-blown campaign remains unclear as there appears to be an absence of a figure-head driving the movement.
If it does become a campaign with ACT Government backing, does it then bring into question the proposed replacement for Canberra Stadium?
Given what is happening in Tasmania, there is a fair chance the AFL will want significantly improved facilities for a Canberra-based team.
The ACT Government would be reluctant to build two new stadiums, so a compromise could be a possibility with an oval-shaped ground with retractable seating to make it rectangular for NRL and rugby union.
I am yet to see this work perfectly with rectangular purpose-built stadiums for rugby league, rugby union and soccer far more effective than stadiums with retractable seating.
But if it comes down to economics, it could be the only option.
Despite this, it is doubtful it would be palatable to rugby league, rugby union and, potentially, an A-League team.
