North Melbourne is closing in on a historic deal that will see the club play "home" games in Western Australia.
The Kangaroos are willing - and are set to sign - a "landmark" deal that will see them "host" two games in Western Australia: one at Optus Stadium and one at Hands Oval in Bunbury (south-west).
The Victorian club is set to benefit financially, whilst West Australian clubs Fremantle and West Coast gain an extra week in their home state, reducing the amount of travel.
Channel 7 reporter Ryan Daniels described the deal as a "win-win".
"North Melbourne play two (home) games a year in WA for the next three years," Daniels said onย Channel 7.
"And one of those games will be in Bunbury in each season.
"The WA state government, the AFL and North Melbourne are set to sign the agreement, delivering financial relief for the Roos, and fixture relief for Fremantle and West Coast."
A breakdown of how the @NMFCOfficial games in WA will look, and the benefit for the Roos - along with the @WestCoastEagles and @freodockers@7AFL pic.twitter.com/e5TSFYFPPD
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) October 30, 2024
North Melbourne will travel to Western Australia in the middle of next season, staying for two weeks.
They'll host the Eagles and Dockers, with one game played at Optus Stadium, the other at Hands Oval in Bunbury.
The West Australian government believes this will help tie in with tourism of the state, with direct flights from Melbourne to Busselton making it easier for Kangaroos fans to make the trip.
"The game at Optus Stadium will see them (North Melbourne) earn $1.2 million," Daniels continued.
"The state governments contribution for the south-west game (Bunbury) will take North's purse over the $2 million mark per year.
"The deal will be signed for three seasons, starting next year, locking in six games and more than $6 million for North.
"It will give the Eagles and Dockers an extra game in their home state and one less week of travel."
Daniels also reported that North Melbourne are expected to continue their relationship with Hobart but could reduce the games from the contracted four to facilitate this deal.
This is also in mind with the introduction of Tasmania, who are set to take over the state in 2028.
Ironically, the Kangaroos' fortunes at Bellerive Oval (Hobart) has waned in recent years, winning two - out of 17 - matches since the beginning of 2021.
At Optus Stadium, the Kangaroos have won four of the nine encounters.
It is understood that North Melbourne's fixture breakdown will be seven Marvel Stadium games, two in Western Australia, leaving two in Hobart.
North Melbourne says it will still play 7 home games at Marvel next season.
With 2 Roos matches set to go to WAโฆ Tassie is likely to host only 6 @AFL games next season (unless another club comes)
4 x @HawthornFC at UTAS
2 x @NMFCOfficial at Ninja
Fixture due out mid November
— Brent Costelloe (@brentcostelloe) October 30, 2024
The AFL fixture will drop next month.