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Dockers, Swans headed for AFL Cairns hub

3 minute read

The AFL will base Fremantle and Sydney in Cairns for four rounds as it attempts to complete a 153-game home-and-away season.

AFL General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting TRAVIS AULD speaks to media during the JLT Community Series Fixture Announcement at Avalon Airport Oval at Chirnside Park in Werribee, Australia.
AFL General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting TRAVIS AULD speaks to media during the JLT Community Series Fixture Announcement at Avalon Airport Oval at Chirnside Park in Werribee, Australia. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Media/Getty Images

Cairns is set to play a big part in the AFL season for the first time when it hosts Fremantle and Sydney in a temporary Hub.

The Dockers and Swans will base themselves in Far North Queensland for rounds 15-18, but will not play against each other while there.

They have already been scheduled to meet at Optus Stadium in round 13.

Opponents will fly in and out of Cairns for matches, with Melbourne among the clubs set to travel north.

The Demons will play both Fremantle and Sydney at Cazaly's Stadium.

"We are delighted to be again playing games at Cazaly's and to have Fremantle and the Sydney Swans staying in Cairns, which has such a passionate AFL support base," AFL fixtures boss Travis Auld said.

"We are really grateful for the support of the Queensland Government which has ensured our season has been able to continue, along with the wonderful support of Tourism Queensland and Cairns Regional Council.

"We are always excited to bring our games to Far North Queensland, and now for a period of time having teams in the community and contributing to the local economy when it is really needed."

Fremantle, who had a Hub stint on the Gold Coast for the season restart, expect they will play against North Melbourne, Melbourne, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs in Cairns.

"We were really pleased with the way our players and staff welcomed and embraced the move to the Gold Coast in June, and this will be no different," Fremantle football manager Peter Bell said.

"The opportunity to train and play together in Cairns will add to the significant growth we have already made as a young team, in a short period of time."

The Dockers will play a total of seven home games at Optus Stadium before returning to Queensland.

"As a club, we consider ourselves really fortunate to play seven games this season in front of our incredible members, who really got behind the club at a difficult time," Bell said.

"It has been a great experience so far for our players, and I'm sure they will really cherish these next few weeks before we head off."

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed the AFL's return to Cairns, which hosted one match each season from 2011 to 2018.

"We know the Cairns economy has been hit particularly hard by the global pandemic," Palaszczuk said.

"Having two teams plus officials and support staff based in the city provides an obvious economic benefit.

"I hope Queenslanders will travel to Cairns to see the teams play and that fans will enjoy seeing the game played in the Tropical North."

Queensland's continued assistance to the AFL as it attempts to complete a 153-game home-and-away season could strengthen the state's case to host the 2020 finals series.

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