North Melbourne's historic Western Australia deal is one of a kind, but could it have implications on the future landscape of the AFL?
Tasmania is set to join in 2028 as the 19th team, with no major movement on evening out the competition - to avoid a bye - in sight.
League CEO Andrew Dillon has previously gone on record, saying he is not "worried" about the extra week off.
"I am not as worried about a bye and 19 teams, but the history of the VFL into the AFL is it has grown," Dillon said on ABC Radio earlier in the year.
"From 1987, we went from 12 teams to 14, and we are now at 18, soon to be 19. There will be growth, but it's just a matter of doing it at the right time."
However, reports indicated that AFL presidents weren't happy with the uneven number.
So, where does that leave us?
Northern Territory has been flagged as the ideal location for the 20th AFL side to make the competition truly national.
The territory is expected to put together an ambitious bid, reflected by its investment into a taskforce that made claims of its viability to host a high-performance club.
SANFL club Norwood reportedly put their name up for discussion following their hosting of the AFL's Gather Round to large amounts of success.
Canberra has also been raised as a potential area of growth.
All of these have had varying levels of 'auditions', as current clubs have held matches in these areas.
However, the Kangaroos' three-year deal with WA clubs and its state government may have given light to the direction the AFL could head in.
North Melbourne will play two "home" games in the rival state. One at Optus Stadium and the other in Bunbury (Hands Oval).
Selling "home" games to rival states isn't uncommon, given the Kangaroos and Hawthorn's allegiance to Tasmania, while Melbourne and St Kilda have featured prominently in the Northern Territory or even overseas in years gone by.
GWS also has its feet planted in Canberra.
But unlike what the Hawks, Giants, Demons and Saintshave done, this new Kangaroos deal enters a region already occupied by AFL teams.
With three games to be held at the heart of Perth in Optus Stadium, the other three are slightly off broadway.
Bunbury is located 170km south of Perth and will play host to three games over the next three seasons.
The Hands Oval redevelopment began late in 2022 and will include the construction of a new grandstand with seating, change rooms, function space and media facilities.
The capacity of the ground is expected to be boosted from 8,000 to 15,000.
To compare, Manuka in Canberra has a capacity of 13,550. Ninja Stadium (Hobart) holds 19,500, as does UTAS Stadium.
The development means the facility will meet current AFL โCategory 4' standards while also including parking and road upgrades, footpaths, a new entrance and ticket boxes.
North Melbourne's trio of games in Bunbury will act as an audition for the viability of a third West Australian club.
