That is the message ahead of the Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast Suns premiership fixture scheduled for July 11, and it is one that should resonate with local sports fans after the poor showing at Barlow Park’s NRL game in April.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning fears the region’s days of hosting a top-level rugby league fixture could be over after less than 9000 filled Barlow Park to watch the Canberra Raiders beat South Sydney.
More than 16,000 watched Souths beat the Titans two years earlier, the sad decline not lost on the rugby league-loving Mayor.
“It was disappointing that we didn’t get a better turnout to the South Sydney game and we’ll be lucky to get another NRL game now,” Mr Manning said.
“That’s why I urge people to support the AFL when it’s on here.”
With that trend in mind, AFL Cairns boss Gary Young admitted it was now or never for the region’s AFL fans to prove themselves just that.
Last year just under 10,000 people watched as the Bulldogs beat the Suns at Cazalys.
While not worryingly less than the three previous games, Young said the concern was that about 4000 of those were from interstate.
“Absolutely there are more locals – surely 10, 15, 20,000 around the region than that – who should be keen to watch a game of footy when a ticket is only $25,” Young said.
“This is our one chance of the year to watch a game live and a lot of organisations invest in this, but will only continue to do so if it is worth it.
“I want it to go for as long as possible but if we only get 8000 or so there again this year you’d have to ask if it is.
“And there’s nothing better than watching a game live; even walking to the ground you get caught up in the atmosphere.”
Injured Bulldog Dale Morris was in Cairns on the weekend to promote the clash, visiting junior games on Sunday to speak with the players and their parents.
He said the club, as far as he was concerned, was more than happy to make the trip north.
“It’s great weather compared to Melbourne, the Cazalys surface is great to play on and I know the boys really enjoy it,” he said.
“We do like coming here, playing in front of a passionate crowd and we have lots of loyal members who enjoy the trip away too.”
Last Modified on 26/05/2015 10:12