The report showed the AFL forged several long-term agreements with governments that were now critical given the imminent expansion of the competition.
AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick acknowledged governments across Australia for their support in the game's future.
"On behalf of the AFL commission, I would like to thank all areas of government for their support and investment in community infrastructure and programs in Indigenous and multicultural communities to further build and strengthen Australia’s only Indigenous game," he said.
In 2009, the redevelopment of Gold Coast Stadium was a key to Gold Coast gaining the 17th AFL club license. The Queensland Government, Federal Government and Gold Coast City Council agreed to provide funding of $116 million for infrastructure.
In New South Wales, $27 million was injected into Blacktown Olympic Park, a joint facility for AFL and cricket which was opened in July last year. This project was a result of a partnership between the New South Wales Government, the City of Blacktown, the AFL and Cricket NSW.
The 18th AFL team, Greater Western Sydney, will be based at the venue.
In traditional football markets, the AFL also announced significant partnerships in 2009.
This included the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval after the South Australian Government agreed to inject $450 million into the project, which, subject to a final agreement, will see Adelaide and Port Adelaide play home matches there from 2014.
This was the largest single direct investment ever into a facility for AFL matches.
The AFL also reached a key agreement with the Melbourne Cricket Club and MCG Trust, with the Victorian Government playing a major role. The Victorian Government also agreed to provide $36 million for upgraded facilities in the Great Southern Stand's AFL members' reserve. In turn, this will provide a financial boost for AFL club tenants.
The AFL also acknowledged the Victorian Government for its role in helping the MCG and Etihad Stadium come to a new agreement after almost 12 months debating the issue.
The agreement came after it was revealed some Victorian-based clubs' stadium returns were between $5 million and $7 million less than the returns enjoyed by clubs in other cities.
It showed AFL clubs in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney received 70 per cent of the revenue generated by stadiums from AFL matches, while clubs in Victoria received just 30 per cent.
The new agreement with the MCC and Etihad Stadium will now provide an additional $145 million in improved match returns to tenant clubs in the next 10 years at the MCG and 14 years at Etihad Stadium.
New deals were also confirmed with the territories last year.
A new five-year agreement with the Northern Territory Government was achieved, with 10 AFL matches set to be played in Darwin and Alice Springs in the next five years. As part of that agreement, TIO Stadium (Darwin) and Traegar Park (Alice Springs) will be upgraded at a cost of $2 million.
The Australian Capital Territory Government also extended its agreement with the AFL for a further year into 2010.
Already a NAB Cup match has been played at Manuka Oval, when the Western Bulldogs defeated the Brisbane Lions on February 14. One more match will be played in the ACT this year, when the Dogs take on the Sydney Swans in round eight.
