HOT DIGGETY
The Western Bulldogs will replace the Richmond Tigers as the Gold Coast Suns opponent in Cairns when the 2014 AFL draw is announced this morning.
Yesterday the club announced on its website that the round 17 clash will take place at Cazalys Stadium on a Saturday afternoon and will replace the club's previous home fixture in Darwin.
Chief executive Simon Garlick said although the club's fixture aim was to return all home games back to Victoria, the Cairns fixture provided a great opportinity to play in front of local Bulldogs fans, and to continue the AFL's association with Far North Queensland.
"While we will continue to work towards bringing all home fixtures back to Victoria, we are really pleased to be playing a home game in Cairns, and to be part of the AFL's continued growth in North Queensland in 2014," Garlick said.
"On balance we have determined that it was in the club's interests to host an interstate match in 2014, and we look forward to playing in front of new and old Bulldog fans alike."
The future of Cazalys as an AFL destination has been up in the air since the Tigers chose not to extend their three-season deal more than 12 months ago.
Richmond played three games against the Gold Coast Suns at the picturesque venue in the past three years, losing the first two before a tight win earlier this year.
But with the club now back in finals contention, financially sound and boasting one the league's largest membership bases, they were not willing to risk playing any home games away from the MCG.
Their retreat had left a void that has been filled by the Bulldogs.
Interestingly no comment was made regarding the long-term tenure of the fixture beyond 2014.
The Suns have gamered significant support in the Far North and boast local products Charlie Dixon and Jarrod Harbrow.
The decision is in line with the AFL's thinking from day dot, with AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou endorsing the venue when he watched the inagural 2010 clash and the Tigers' boss Brendan Gale urging another club to take over their tenure before this year's game.
This year's clash drew more than 11,000 spectators. The 2014 AFL draw will be announced at 9am (Cairns time) this morning.
Last Modified on 06/11/2014 15:23