The AFL’s Chief Operating Officer Gillon McLaughlin said, “We know that the best advertisement for AFL is to see a game live. 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,” he said.
St Kilda recognised the opportunity to connect with its existing Queensland supporter base and take advantage of the great playing conditions on the Gold Coast. The Saints staged a thrilling comeback to beat the Kangaroos by 15 points at Carrara this season and look forward to returning over the coming years.
CEO Archie Fraser said, “Our coaches and players enjoy playing at Gold Coast Stadium and we have a strong supporter base there. Last year in Round 14 we promoted the game heavily and were rewarded with the largest ever walk-up attendance at Carrara. We’re happy to help the AFL promote the game and pave the way for a successful launch of GCFC.
“We worked hard as a club to make sure we had a successful game up there. We contacted our members and made sure we worked the area very hard. We have a super support base up there anyway.”
The Saints have over 500 members in South-East Queensland which makes up 20% of the Club’s total membership base outside of Victoria. Nick Riewoldt and Sam Gilbert are also from the area, having started their football careers at Southport.
The AFL has guaranteed the Saints will play one home game on the Gold Coast for the next two years, but the Club’s opposition will not be known until the full fixture is released at the end of October.
When quizzed about St Kilda’s opposition on the Gold Coast, Fraser was coy.
“I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you,” he said in a thick Scottish accent, sounding decidedly like his famous super spy compatriot.
“I know who we play; I think fans will be pretty happy when the draw comes out. There was certainly one club we didn’t want to play there and we made sure we got that outcome. It’s a good outcome for us and will certainly be a home game advantage.”
The St Kilda Football Club is currently finalising all membership options for the 2009 AFL Season and will advise supporters of arrangements once the fixture is released by the league.
“We’ll obviously have a make up game in Melbourne which means our members still have 11 games to go to,” Fraser said.
“We haven’t seen the (full) draw yet, so we won’t know which game it will be, but we’ll make sure that our members are still well and truly looked after and will have the opportunity to go to at least 11 games.”
