GWS Giants take bold step in bid to take home-and-away match to the USA
GWS has reignited its desire to play a home and away game in the USA, with the club sending a staffer to scope out potential venues last year.
While the AFL is not yet directly involved with any plans, the Giants have long been keen on becoming the first club to play for premiership points in the USA.
The plans before COVID were for GWS to host Essendon in either San Francisco or Los Angeles, but they were put on the backburner due to the pandemic.
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The Bombers told 9News Melbourne they are not involved in any discussions with GWS to play a game in the USA.
Four years ago, former Dons CEO Xavier Campbell told a function it was on the club's radar and Kevin Sheedy - with his links to both clubs - was also involved.
The Giants are keen to play an international match. Getty
But the Giants, who already have a strong presence in the USA via key financial backers, are keen to explore what a game on the country's west coast would look like.
Aiding their ambition is the AFL's split Round 1 fixture in 2024. Theoretically, GWS could play an opponent in 'Opening Round' and be home in time to play again in Round 2.
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Direct flights from Sydney to Los Angeles and San Francisco are direct and under 14 hours.
The match would be played at a cricket stadium. More than 10 have been built in the USA in recent years by the ICC as the game grows in the region.
This year the T20 Men's World Cup will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.
GWS is also keen to strengthen its local support and was delighted to be awarded with several home Saturday twilight fixtures in 2024, plus a blockbuster against Carlton in school holidays and an Anzac Day night match in Canberra.
AFL games for premiership points have previously been played in New Zealand and China and this year the NRL will venture to the USA to play four home and away games in Las Vegas.
