CARLTON, St Kilda and Richmond will play home games on the Gold Coast in 2009 and 2010 as the AFL continues to promote the growth of the game in the region ahead of the introduction of a local team in 2011.

The Victorian clubs will play one game at Carrara Stadium in each of the next two seasons with AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan confident the three teams are well-placed to foster local interest in the code.

"We know that the best advertisement for AFL is to see a game live," McLachlan said. 

"The atmosphere created by thousands of passionate fans combined with the fast-paced action and skill of AFL provides great entertainment.

"We’re thrilled to have three of our traditional AFL clubs in Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda joining with us to build the game in south east Queensland, by bringing great teams and local heroes to the Gold Coast next year."

North Melbourne had been the vehicle for the AFL's push into the region and was scheduled to play three games at Carrara in 2009 before the club's board rejected a permanent move to the Gold Coast late last year which led to the termination of that deal.

The Victorian members of the clubs will not lose out in the deal with free entry allowed into a designated away match played in Melbourne in each of the next two years as compensation.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue to build the Carlton Football Club," Blues chief executive Greg Swann said.

"Carlton has a great supporter base across Australia and this will further strengthen the growth of the club. We believe playing games on the Gold Coast is a great result for the club, our supporters and also for the development and promotion of our great game."

League bosses were encouraged to use the three clubs by "solid" attendance figures they have achieved when playing the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba or the Kangaroos on the Gold Coast in the past two seasons.

The star power of the respective clubs' playing lists, which includes players like Chris Judd, Nick Riewoldt and Matthew Richardson, was also a factor in their selection.

Richmond chief executive Steven Wright was delighted with the plan which he felt had the potential to deliver his club a healthy financial windfall while growing its brand.

"It will assist in the continued development of Richmond’s national profile and allow us to continue to build our membership throughout Australia," Wright said.

"The Gold Coast game will provide significant benefits to the club and we will ensure our Victorian members will not miss out. In 2009, we will be playing 17 games in Victoria, the same as in 2008."

St Kilda CEO Archie Fraser said his club had a proven record of success in the region.

"Our coaches and players enjoy playing at Gold Coast Stadium and we have a strong supporter base there," Fraser said.