GWS Giants in talks to bring four games to Canberra in 2022 AFL season

The Canberra Times can reveal the ACT government is locked in talks with GWS bosses to bring four premiership games to Canberra during the 2022 AFL season.

Border restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic kept the Giants to two games in Canberra this year, and zero in 2020.

Now the city's political powerbrokers are hunting compensation with a fourth match next season, one more than the three allotted for Canberra in a partnership with the Giants as part of their 10-year, $23 million deal with the government.

The AFL is expected to publish fixtures for the 2022 season next month, with word circulating only the opening eight rounds will initially have times and venues confirmed. A floating fixture would give league bosses scope to make changes should the competition be impacted by border restrictions.

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ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr wants evening games early in the season and afternoon games during winter, with a desire to host teams from the east coast to capitalise on bigger fan bases in the region.

"There will be at least three premiership matches at Manuka Oval. As Canberra missed out on games in both 2020 and 2021, we are having positive discussions about securing a fourth premiership match for season 2022," a spokeswoman for the ACT Chief Minister said.

"The AFL will determine the opposing teams and time slots. We have asked for a mix of east coast teams, preferably those who have not played often, or at all, at Manuka.

"We also think evening games are best earlier in the season and daytime fixtures in winter.

"As much fun as the infamous 'snow game' was, we think it is better for July and August games to be played during the warmest part of the day."

Bringing four home games to Canberra would leave the Giants with seven fixtures at the Sydney Showground in Homebush.

Fifteen of the AFL's 18 clubs have played for premiership points at Manuka Oval. Those yet to do so are Brisbane, Essendon and Carlton.

Sydney, West Coast and Collingwood have not played against the Giants in a regular season game in Canberra, but each club has played at Manuka Oval in the past.

The Giants' deal to play in Canberra has been extended by 12 months to offset the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented football from being played in the capital.

The club is keen to retain its presence in Canberra with discussions ongoing about locking in another long-term deal, given the original agreement was poised to end this year. The contract will now expire in 2022.

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