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Live sport on SN this weekendSouth Australia appears all but certain to retain ‘perfect’ Gather Round
Nicholas Quinlan • April 12th, 2025 2:38 pm
Gather Round appears set to be to stay in South Australia well beyond their current contract in 2026.
Having started the concept in 2023 in response to the NRL’s Magic Round, Gather Round has been viewed as a success by those within the AFL world.
The round has delivered an economic boost to the South Australian economy having been estimated at providing $91.6 million to it during the 2024 Gather Round which has now become a major asset within the states' event calendar.
Discussions have taken place between the AFL and the SA Government headed by Premier Peter Malinauskas about extending their Gather Round agreement beyond 2026.
This comes after pressure from the Western Australian and Tasmanian governments trying to make a pitch to steal it.
Speaking on SEN’s Crunch Time, Tom Morris believes that both the AFL and SA Government have intentions to continue.
“Only contractually, there’s doubt,” Morris said.
“I think everyone wants to. I think the AFL wants too, clearly South Australia wants it too.
“The fact they haven’t signed on the dotted line yet, that’s the only doubt.
“I believe it’s a formality; it’s just about for how long for. Is it ’27 and ’28? Is it beyond that?
“Peter Malinauskas has been very clear that it is not a rite of passage, it’s a privilege to play Gather Round in Adelaide.
“I think it will happen, I’m not sure whether they’re going to sign this week or next week, but I would be shocked if they moved it.
“It’s perfect in every way.”
Gerard Whately believes that in it’s third year, that the concept has already become the second biggest week in the footballing calendar.
“I feel like that it has become the biggest week of the year," Whately said.
“Set grand final week aside which has got its own different dynamics and set pieces, outside of that, this is the week.”
Kane Cornes would agree with Whately about how important the event has become.
“It feels as big, because the grand final is the grand final, the stakes are higher,”
“But in terms of the festival and the lead-up to it, it feels like just as big as that.”
Morris would add a final point noting the pressure the AFL would be under to move the round to a new city.
“And it’s a brave AFL to take away something that is universally loved and move it.”
