Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell is petitioning to hold one of the newly announced AFL ‘Magic Rounds’ in the Limestone Coast.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed every AFL match of the 2023 season’s round five will be hosted by South Australia after the state outbid New South Wales for the honour.
The event will be similar to be National Rugby League’s Magic Round, however it will take a different name, which is yet to be announced.
All 18 football teams will play in the state for their round between Thursday, April 13 and Sunday, April 16 next year.
Mr Bell said the “near impossible” has to occur for the proposed round to take place in the region.
“The conversations have already started and are being furthered this week in State Parliament,” he said.
“Mayor Lynette Martin and I are already working on it and if we cannot get it next year, we’ll start lobbying for the year after.
“Even if we do not achieve it for next year, we are sending a very strong signal that we want to be included in conversations going forward.
“It is my belief this will not be the only Magic Round to occur in South Australia and Mount Gambier needs to be included.
“A push from the local community is fantastic so if you want it here, get behind it and let both my office and the City of Mount Gambier know.”
Mr Bell said Mount Gambier should host a Magic Round given it was the state’s second largest city.
“My question is ‘why wouldn’t we be holding a game here’?” he said.
“We are strategically located halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide and per head of population would have just as many people support a Victorian team as a South Australian team.
“The main argument is around our city not having the venue or infrastructure to support 8000 people.
“Well, some would argue a metropolitan city is not the best place to hold a car race either but when the time and money is invested and infrastructure goes up, the city can be completely transformed into the perfect street racing venue.
“Our city deserves just as much opportunity as a metropolitan city to host a game or round.”
Mr Bell said the best location locally would actually be determined by the AFL and a case could be made for or against each oval.
“No matter where matches are hosted, there would be a large number of event management and infrastructure needs to be addressed and it’s a matter of understanding and meeting these needs,” he said.
“For seating, the grandstands used at the Adelaide 500 could be relocated to the designated oval.
“If structured properly, I see the entire Mount Gambier sporting community benefitting from the flow-on effects of hosting a match.
“Footy fans will travel long distances just to support their team and the economic and flow-on tourism benefits would be incredible for our city.
“It would book out all of Mount Gambier’s accommodation venues, give a massive boost to our retail and hospitality sectors and also encourage people to stay another few nights and head out to our tourist attractions such as Kilsby’s Sinkhole, walk Mount Schank or see Umpherston Cave.”
