Tasmania is reportedly plotting a Gather Round steal as the AFL weighs up where to go next.
Ahead of the third edition of the footy festival that will descend onto South Australia, Tasmania chairman and Tourism Tasmania chair Grant O'Brien says that the state poses as the perfect destination to host the exciting weekend.
South Australia scored the opportunity to host the first four Gather Rounds, dating back to 2023, and given the current contract, will see it out until at least the end of 2026.
However, in line with the Devils' introduction to the AFL in 2028, O'Brien believes it would be a perfect fit for Tasmania to host Gather Round in three years.
"We have at least three stadiums at three points of the island and others that would be equal to those in Adelaide," O'Brien told the Herald Sun.
"The $130 million UTAS Stadium redevelopment will be finished in 2027 and will be a top-of-the-range facility, and Ninja Stadium (Bellerive Oval) is more than capable as it has shown.
"We have wilderness, wineries, art โฆ to showcase Tasmania in the team's first year in the competition would just be fantastic.
"It would be the perfect welcome party for a new team entering the competition โฆ I really do think it is something that should be shared."
Tasmania hold multiple stadiums that would suit the AFL contests, such as Ninja Stadium in Hobart and UTAS Stadium in Launceston.
The pair hold games for North Melbourne and Hawthorn.
However, the only sticking point could be the capacity of the venues in Tasmania, with none, at this stage, reaching over 20,000.
Ninja Stadium holds a capacity of 19,500. UTAS Stadium can fit 15,000 fans but is due for an increase in redevelopment.
South Australia and Premier Peter Malinauskas are currently looking to extend the contract beyond 2026.
