TonyK
CibbuanoGabba to host next five Easter Thursday matches
October 29th 2009 08:15
THE AFL and the Queensland government have struck a deal that will see the Gabba host the next five Easter Thursday blockbuster matches.
Brisbane will kick off the arrangement with a clash against Carlton in round two next year which will pit the Lions' prized recruit Brendan Fevola against his old club.
Queensland sports minister Phil Reeves said the agreement was a 'tremendous coup' for football in the state.
"This guarantees a big-drawing early match at the Gabba every season for the next five years, with likes of Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon or the Geelong Cats to be among the teams who are likely to visit the Gabba to take on the Lions," Reeves said.
"This is part of an agreement negotiated to bring a 17th team to the AFL competition, a second team to Queensland on the Gold Coast and the redevelopment of Gold Coast Stadium in partnership with the Federal Government, the Gold Coast City Council and the AFL."
"Having this fixture locked in for the next five years will showcase the Gabba and the Lions to a national audience of well over one million fans."
"This is a great result for Queensland sports fans and these blockbuster matches around Easter will be a highlight on the sporting calendar."
AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said the league had a good relationship with the Queensland government.
"AFL football has been able to make great strides in Queensland with the introduction of a new 17th team on the Gold Coast and the redevelopment of the Gabba thanks to the outstanding support of the State Government for our game," McLachlan said.
"The partnership with the Queensland Government, the Federal Government and the Gold Coast City Council will also deliver the redeveloped Gold Coast Stadium. "
"When the Gold Coast joins the senior AFL competition in 2011, AFL matches will be played in Queensland every week during our season."
McLachlan also said the deal ensured Brisbane wouldn't be overshadowed by the Gold Coast's entry into the competition
"It is important to ensure the focus is not lost on the other Queensland success story – the Brisbane Lions. The work of the Queensland Government together with the Lions has ensured the Gabba will be the focus of football fans throughout Australia in the early part of each of our next five seasons."
The draw for the 2010 Toyota AFL premiership season will be announced on Friday.
Brisbane will kick off the arrangement with a clash against Carlton in round two next year which will pit the Lions' prized recruit Brendan Fevola against his old club.
Queensland sports minister Phil Reeves said the agreement was a 'tremendous coup' for football in the state.
"This guarantees a big-drawing early match at the Gabba every season for the next five years, with likes of Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon or the Geelong Cats to be among the teams who are likely to visit the Gabba to take on the Lions," Reeves said.
"This is part of an agreement negotiated to bring a 17th team to the AFL competition, a second team to Queensland on the Gold Coast and the redevelopment of Gold Coast Stadium in partnership with the Federal Government, the Gold Coast City Council and the AFL."
"Having this fixture locked in for the next five years will showcase the Gabba and the Lions to a national audience of well over one million fans."
"This is a great result for Queensland sports fans and these blockbuster matches around Easter will be a highlight on the sporting calendar."
AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said the league had a good relationship with the Queensland government.
"AFL football has been able to make great strides in Queensland with the introduction of a new 17th team on the Gold Coast and the redevelopment of the Gabba thanks to the outstanding support of the State Government for our game," McLachlan said.
"The partnership with the Queensland Government, the Federal Government and the Gold Coast City Council will also deliver the redeveloped Gold Coast Stadium. "
"When the Gold Coast joins the senior AFL competition in 2011, AFL matches will be played in Queensland every week during our season."
McLachlan also said the deal ensured Brisbane wouldn't be overshadowed by the Gold Coast's entry into the competition
"It is important to ensure the focus is not lost on the other Queensland success story – the Brisbane Lions. The work of the Queensland Government together with the Lions has ensured the Gabba will be the focus of football fans throughout Australia in the early part of each of our next five seasons."
The draw for the 2010 Toyota AFL premiership season will be announced on Friday.
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