AFL to grow to 20 teams as Oz population grows * Glenn McFarlane
* From: Sunday Herald Sun
* March 13, 2011 THE AFL has forecast more teams in the competition as Australia's population swells.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said expansion to include a 19th and 20th club had been tentatively discussed at the top level, with possible targets including northern Queensland, Tasmania and the prospect of a third side in Western Australia.
Demetriou conceded any move to add clubs would be a number of years down the track and could only be seriously considered once the two new franchises, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney, were well established.
"I don't think we should close our minds to the prospect (of 19 and 20 teams)," he said this week.
"Put football aside for a minute - the population is growing and the economy is growing.
"When you consider people say that in 2035 the population of Australia will be 45 million . . . It will be a much more diverse population, based in different parts of Australia."
Asked if the timeframe could be in the next 10-15 years, he said: "Why not?"
In an interview with the Sunday Herald Sun, involving columnist Shane Crawford, Demetriou also said:
THE intricate broadcasting negotiations were edging closer to a conclusion.
THE AFL brand had not been seriously damaged by a number of off-field incidents in the pre-season.
HE hoped the NAB Cup and rookie system would be retained.
THE contentious three interchange/one substitute system would help limit high-impact injuries.
THE offer of help to the "St Kilda schoolgirl" was still open.
When asked about the TV rights negotiations, the AFL boss said: "I think we have done more work than we have ever done on these broadcasting rights.
"Whatever the outcome is, one thing I will promise is that we will see Australian Rules football in more homes in every corner of the land than ever before."
Demetriou said he would continue to push for more live football on television.
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