Saints to double up in NZ

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 23 April 2013 | 23.49

Nick Riewoldt models the Saints' New Zealand strip. They are set to play two games across the ditch next year.

Former Sydney Swan Troy Luff joins Fox Sports News to discuss all the burning issues in the AFL including Daniel Menzel's injury and Majak Daw.

THE AFL will almost certainly grant St Kilda's "bold" bid to play two home games a season in Wellington in the next two years.

St Kilda chiefs hope to use strong Kiwi interest in the historic Anzac Day clash against Sydney to back its case for a second home game in August in 2014 and 2015.


Teams: Kosi, Dempster back for the Saints

Pre-sales point to a crowd of more than 20,000 tomorrow at Westpac Stadium, a 34,000-seat stadium that is home to Super Rugby's Hurricanes.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said although the Saints' proposal had not yet been approved by the league, the signs were "very promising".

"They've obviously spoken to us about whether we would contemplate two games next year and two games (the year) after," McLachlan said.


"But it's in the context of we'll see how this game goes, and on the crowd and the success of the game, and have a look at it after that.

"It's obviously a very bold play from St Kilda.

"But you certainly get excited when you arrive, as we have today, and there are people in St Kilda and Sydney gear walking the streets and every cab driver wants to talk to you about the game.

"It feels very real."

St Kilda chief executive Michael Nettlefold told the Herald Sun yesterday that benchmarks set by the Wellington Council for continuing support would be met.

Nettlefold urged the AFL to think big.

"It's possible that in 20 or 30 years, you might have a side playing over here," Nettlefold said. "You have seen it work in rugby league, and netball and soccer and rugby union. This is a country which loves its sport and we think it will be taking to Australian rules as well.

"It is three hours door-to-door from Melbourne and Sydney, and there is only a two-hour time difference. It has a very similar travelling profile to Perth."

St Kilda players and coaches arrived yesterday a day later than the Swans.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters knows playing the premier on a small ground in windy conditions may favour Sydney, but he said the support in Wellington would be for St Kilda.

"(Westpac Stadium) is a fantastic ground; it's the same length as the SCG but 17m thinner. It's a cauldron. They call it the Cake Tin for a reason," he said.

Nettlefold said 2500 St Kilda and 1500 Sydney fans were in town.

"Hotels are booked out, Virgin put another flight on to accommodate demand, and there are a lot of Australians in Wellington," he said.


Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Saints to double up in NZ

Dengan url

http://caraseopemula.blogspot.com/2013/04/saints-to-double-up-in-nz.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Saints to double up in NZ

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Saints to double up in NZ

sebagai sumbernya

0 komentar:

Posting Komentar

techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger