High hopes for proposed Cairns team in revamped North Eastern AFL
Backers of a North Eastern AFL team for the region are hopeful it gets the all clear today to compete in next year's tournament.
The Cairns Post understands a decision will be made today on whether the North Queensland side, mostly based in Cairns but also representing Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville will be formed.
The AFL's North Queensland development manager Craig Starcevich is confident the costs of the team's introduction will be justified by AFL headquarters.
"We've been wanting to get in front of the AFL for a while but they've had a few distractions," he said, referring to the Essendon drugs saga.
"It's a question of money, but certainly everyone agrees with the concept."
"I'd be disappointed if we didn't get the good news."
The side would compete in the revamped NEAFL, which includes teams as far south as Canberra and west as Darwin and runs one tier below the AFL.
A majority of home games would be played at Cazalys, with AFL Cairns team Manunda Hawks in line to share the facility with the North Queensland side in the initial stages.
"It's hugely exciting for all the cities in the region," Starcevich, an AFL premiership winner with Collingwood in 1990, said.
"The local AFL final on the weekend was fantastic , but you just think 'what's next'."
"There are 33 players from North Queensland already playing in the NEAFL and they are all asking about it. Then you have the teenagers already up here that wouldn't have to move south."
Starcevich took up his new role 18 months ago after working as an AFL talent manager in Western Australia. After finishing a 144-game AFL career at the Brisbane Bears, Starcevich worked as a high performance manager at the club, then had a brief stint at St Kilda before joining A-League side Brisbane Roar as strength and conditioning coach and finally working as the AFL's talent manager in Western Australia.
Last Modified on 18/12/2013 15:23