Rain falls in Adelaide for AFL Gather Round, as interest shown for second event in NSW, Queensland

AFL fans are facing a weekend of wet weather for Gather Round as the South Australian Premier says he is "not going to rush" negotiations on the future of the event.

Adelaide Oval attendees have been warned to expect rain during the opening clash between Crows and Blues on Thursday night ahead of "more Melbourne-like weather", according to the Bureau of Meteorology's Ellie Mathews.

"Whilst the opening siren might be relatively dry, we could start to see some increasing showers during the game as that cold front does approach and cross. So, could be a little bit wet and might be some moderate ... winds as well," she said.

"We will see those temperatures start to dip down as we get into Friday with a cold front that will clip the southern [end] of the state."

Ms Mathews said the rain would ease on Saturday before clearer skies on Sunday when Port Adelaide takes on St Kilda.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said hotel bookings and ticket sales were showing promising signs and people were still driving across the border despite fuel costs.

"I suspect because people want to enjoy an event where they can get around each other, enjoy each other's fellowship and not worry about what's going on for the rest of the world," he told 891 ABC Adelaide on Thursday morning.

"We've still got a few days left and there was a big surge in the last 72 hours of hotel room bookings for last year's Gather Round, so that we still need to see that and hopefully transpires."

No deal yet but NSW keen

Mr Malinauskas said South Australia had not yet struck a deal about future Gather Rounds but he hoped to "leverage" on past successes to get the best outcome.

"[AFL chief executive] 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 and I'm going to protect our interests because … where else is he going to do this better than us?" he said.

Yesterday, Mr Dillon said negotiations were "complex" and a result could take "two weeks or two months".

Sydney Swans chair Andrew Pridham told SEN radio he had spoken to Mr Dillon and AFL Commission chair Craig Drummond about a second Gather Round being held in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast as the first round of the AFL season next year.

Comparing the rain in Adelaide with the sunny weather in Sydney, he said there was a lot of potential in the NSW and Queensland markets for the AFL, especially with many national media outlets based in Sydney.

"I think there's a huge amount of merit in it," Mr Pridham said.

"I think we've seen the power and the financial benefits of having the Gather Round in South Australia, the impacts on the economy.

"I can't speak for the Queensland government, but … we've had discussions with the [NSW] premier about the concept of a Gather Round in NSW.

"I think that they're in a position where they'd be willing to help."

Melbourne comedian and Carlton supporter Dave Hughes has backed the premier's call for Gather Round to remain in Adelaide.

"It is Adelaide forever," he told 891 ABC Adelaide on Thursday morning.

"I honestly just left a coffee shop where a mate of mine, another school dad, he just lobbed up and he said I'm about to get in the car with his two daughters and they're driving to Adelaide now.

"They're Hawthorn supporters, they're full of life and joy and they're going to make a great trip."

Fans happy despite the rain

AFL fans at Elder Park, where activities have been set up for the Footy Festival, appeared undeterred by the rain.

Another fan said it was "amazing" to see so many people in Adelaide for the event.

He said people had already come to the city and booked tickets so the rain would not stop them enjoying the football.

"It's very untimely, right, but I think it's so nice to be here and see that Gather Round is still on whether the rain is so bad or not," he said.

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