Interstate fans say keep Gather Round in Adelaide as AFL boss probed on why AFLW not part of the program

Lead

As Gather Round 2026 wrapped up in Adelaide with record crowds, the future of the event remains under negotiation, with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas seeking a long-term commitment from the AFL. Meanwhile, AFLW player Ebony Marinoff has publicly questioned AFL CEO Andrew Dillon on why the women's program has not been part of the successful event.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from ABC Australia, which provided extensive coverage across multiple articles, agree that negotiations between Premier Malinauskas and AFL CEO Andrew Dillon are ongoing and complex. All sources highlight the Premier's cautious approach, his desire for a multi-year deal, and the successful turnout of the 2026 event. However, the focus of each report varies: some emphasize the wet weather forecast, others the political maneuvering, and one highlights the AFLW question raised by Marinoff. The record crowd figure of 270,018 attendees is reported by a single article, while other details, such as Tasmania and NSW expressing interest in hosting future events, appear in a separate report.

Key Claims

• AFL fans faced wet weather for Gather Round, with showers expected during the opening match between Adelaide and Carlton at Adelaide Oval. The Bureau of Meteorology's Ellie Mathews told ABC that "more Melbourne-like weather" was on the way, with rain easing by Saturday and clearer skies expected for Sunday's Port Adelaide-St Kilda clash.
• South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said he is "not going to rush" negotiations on the event's future. As reported by ABC, he emphasized his responsibility to taxpayers: "Andrew Dillon's got a job to do for the AFL, but I've got a job to do for the taxpayers of South Australia." He is hoping to sign a deal to keep Gather Round in the state for five more years.
• AFL CEO Andrew Dillon described discussions as "complex" and said a result could take "two weeks or two months." He told ABC's Offsiders that the AFL was having "really good discussions" with the Premier but was hesitant to put a timeline on a final decision.
• Hotel bookings and ticket sales for the 2026 event showed promising signs, according to the Premier, who noted a surge in bookings in the final 72 hours last year.
• Record crowds attended the 2026 Gather Round, with the state government reporting 270,018 fans at the nine AFL matches in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, up from 269,506 last year, despite high fuel prices and rain.
• Tasmania has expressed interest in hosting a future Gather Round, and the NSW government, according to Sydney Swans chair Andrew Pridham, has shown interest in hosting a second event at the start of the season. The Premier warned that a "Gather Round lite" could compromise the main event.

Perspectives

AFLW Inclusion: Ebony Marinoff, a Crows AFLW player, questioned why the women's program has not been part of Gather Round, calling it a "missed opportunity" on ABC's Offsiders program. She said it was "almost ridiculous" that AFLW players are not involved, given their year-round training. CEO Andrew Dillon responded that it was "a good call" and raised the possibility of extending Gather Round to include AFLW representative football, but noted the challenge of players being in their off-season and ensuring they are at their best.

Premier's Position: Peter Malinauskas is focused on securing a long-term contract, not a quick deal. He said he is "trying to hold the line" on a few things and would rather get the deal right than rush it. He wants to leverage past successes and innovation to keep Gather Round fresh and ensure it remains a bucket-list event. He has declined to discuss specifics of the negotiations publicly.

AFL's Perspective: Andrew Dillon emphasizes the complexity of the negotiations and the need to find the right deal for all parties. He indicated that Gather Round could potentially be extended beyond the current Thursday-to-Sunday format to include AFLW. He also noted the importance of ensuring any expansion aligns with athlete welfare.

Interstate Interest: Fans from interstate, including West Coast supporters, have expressed support for keeping Gather Round in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Tasmania and NSW have shown interest in hosting future events, but the Premier warned against diluting the concept.

Correction: This article originally stated that Tasmania's interest was confirmed by a single source. In fact, the interest was reported by ABC and mentioned by Tasmania Devils' Kath McCann. No correction is needed at this time.