Domain Stadium.
Camera IconDomain Stadium. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

Subiaco councillor floats idea for third WA-based AFL side to save Subiaco Oval from developers

Lisa ThomasWestern Suburbs Weekly

CITY of Subiaco councillor Julie Matheson has touted a third Western Australian football club as a way to save Subiaco Oval from developers.

Cr Matheson raised the idea at the Subiaco council meeting last night as an amendment to the Draft North Subiaco Structure Plan.

She said having a third team based at the oval would not only invigorate Subiaco, but would provide a football team for people north of the river.

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“This is not just something that concerns the Subiaco community, but people from all of WA,” she said.

“Now that the Eagles are moving south of the river, north of the river will want its own team.”

The option would include redevelopment of the Subiaco Oval precinct to include training facilities, the ability to host an AFL game day or night, office accommodation, member facilities and clubrooms, a public theatre to watch sport, residential accommodation, access to public transport and short stay accommodation.

AFL games will be played at the new stadium at Burswood at the start of the 2018 season, with the West Coast Eagles relocating their training and administration facilities to Lathlain Park.

Cr Matheson believed another AFL team should be an option.

“WA has some of the highest attendance at Subiaco Oval compared with others around Australia,” she said.

“The question is whether the AFL Commission believes a third AFL team would cannibalise support for Eagles and Dockers or if it would invigorate the local market to the same extent seen in Melbourne, where derbies have become a key part of the football calendar.”

Cr Matheson’s amendment was lost 8-2.

An application to heritage list Subiaco Oval is still with the Heritage Council.