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last mo.

SA Presses to Keep AFL Gather Round as Talks Stretch Into Event Weekend

Fixture changes tied to Tasmania's 2028 entry are delaying a long-term decision.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has delivered a Donald Trump-esque speech in a bid to keep Gather Round in his state.
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Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley will host AFL Gather Round games for the second year. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)
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Overview

  • With Gather Round kicking off Thursday in Adelaide, no extension has been announced as AFL boss Andrew Dillon and Premier Peter Malinauskas say talks could run for weeks or months.
  • Andrew Dillon says Tasmania joining in 2028 will force the season to shift to 22 or 24 games from the current 23, which complicates locking in a long-term host for an extra round of matches.
  • Peter Malinauskas is pushing for a multi‑year deal and points to strong demand, including higher hotel bookings and a state‑reported $113.9 million economic boost from the 2025 weekend.
  • Other states such as New South Wales and Tasmania have shown interest in hosting, even as Dillon praises how well the round works in South Australia without promising a quick agreement.
  • The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rain and moderate winds for early games, and despite fuel cost concerns the AFL is offering a 10c‑per‑litre app discount as fans continue to drive in from interstate.