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

Crows AFLW player Ebony Marinoff has questioned AFL CEO Andrew Dillon on why the women's program hasn't been part of the successful Gather Round in Adelaide, labelling it a missed opportunity on ABC's Offsider's program.

"I just feel like we've had so many appearances, and you're meeting so many people across the industry, they always go, 'so when do you play?' and I feel like it's just a missed opportunity to showcase the AFLW."

Mr Dillon said it was a good call.

"That's one of the other things, when we talk about Gather Round at the moment, it goes from the Thursday to the Sunday, so do we extend it out a little bit and have representative football for AFLW and get our best players playing?" Mr Dillon said.

Ms Marinoff responded by saying the best athletes in the women's competition were training all year round.

"So if there was an opportunity there, I feel like the W programs would make it work," she said.

No timeline on Gather Round hosting decision

The AFL chief also told Offsiders the AFL was having "really good discussions" with Premier Peter Malinauskas about the potential of Adelaide hosting future Gather Rounds, but was hesitant to put a timeline on the final decision.

This is the last year South Australia is certain to host Gather Round.

The Premier was hoping to sign a deal with Mr Dillon to keep the event in the state for five more years.

"We have been saying we want to make sure we get to the right deal, not a quick deal," the AFL chief said.

Speaking at the Food and Wine festival at Norwood Oval where over 9000 fans turned out to watch Geelong thump West Coast, Mr Malinauskas said he wanted to have the potential deal resolved by the middle of the year.

"I'm working as hard as I can to hopefully negotiate a deal into the future," Mr Malinauskas said.

"We've got a lot of goodwill between us to get this extension done."

West Coast fans from Perth, Paul Smith and Luke Johns, told the ABC Gather Round should be kept in Adelaide.

"Victoria get Gather Round every weekend, I'd like to see it in Tasmania, maybe when they get a new stadium and some facilities — but for now I reckon keep it in South Australia — it's been great," Mr Smith said.

The Eagles fans said Gather Round in Perth would be too far for AFL fans to travel.

West Coast supporter Margaret Savage said this was her third Gather Round trip to Adelaide.

"I think it should stay here," she said.

Dockers fan Kerilee Brindle said it should come to Perth eventually.

"But we can see why they have it in Adelaide and obviously Tassie would be good," Ms Brindle said.

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