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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMWhere ex-AFL CEO is pushing for 20th team to join in 2032
SEN • April 16th, 2026 12:23 pm
Former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou is pushing for a 20th AFL team to be formed in Darwin.
With Tasmania set to enter the competition in 2028, most expect that the AFL will eventually be looking to move to 20 teams to balance the fixture.
Demetriou is sure that should be in the Northern Territory due to the region’s rich football history, while also helping the AFL bridge the gap with the strong Indigenous community in Australia’s north.
The ex-CEO is leading a taskforce examining the feasibility of an AFL club in the NT, and he spoke on the names who are helping him in that mission.
“The AFL have charged the responsibility to the AFL NT taskforce to come up with some recommendations and some strategies,” Demetriou told This is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.
“It’s populated by some very good people. Peter Jackson the ex-CEO of Essendon and Melbourne, Nathan Buckley, Andrew McLeod, some local Territorians in business and Sean Bowden is the chair.
“It’s got the right people working on it. There’s a great football heritage coming out of the Northern Territory. Great football has been produced out of the NT and great footballers.
“Participation rates are going through the roof, particularly amongst girls now.
“If they could have a team, I think it’d be a great thing to help bridge the gap with the Indigenous community, which a lot of governments over the years haven’t been able to do.”
Certain that a team in the NT would work, Demetriou was asked what year he thinks the team should be introduced if approved.
“2032 is a good target year because it’s when the next broadcast rights come around,” Demetriou said.
“There’ll be 19 teams in the competition, so having a 20th would avail itself to having a 10th game to sell (each round).
“It’s pretty exciting, I think.”
Demetriou spoke about a wide range of topics and looked back on his decorated playing and administrative career on this week’s episode.
Tune into This is Your Journey with Andrew Demetriou at 10:00am AEST, Sunday April 19, on SEN and the SEN app.
