<p>The countdown to 2028 is on when Tasmania finally takes the field for its long-awaited arrival to the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">AFL competition.</a></p> <p>After being granted the 19th license in 2021, attention has already turned to who would be in line for, and where the AFL should look for a 20th team.</p> <p>Suggestions have been put forward regarding the best and most logical places to put a 20th team if the AFL is to go down the expansion path again.</p> <p>From heartland states to the nation’s capital and some established clubs that could even jump up from the state league, many different options have been put forward as candidates.</p> <p>We have looked at five potential options for where the 20th AFL team could land if it happens.</p> <p>In the meantime while we all wait for the AFL’s 20th team to be announced, why not check out some of the hottest AFL betting tips over on <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed">the Feed?&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Northern Territory</h2> <p>The most momentum for a 20th side has come from the top end.</p> <p>The northern territory has produced some of the biggest names Australian Football has ever seen and has a rich and deep history in the origins of Aussie Rules Football.</p> <p>With Tasmania going to be the 19th team, and with other teams already with deals and playing games in other markets, a team based out of the Territory would make the national competition whole.</p> <p>The weather conditions in Darwin and across the region present their own unique challenges – The NTFL (the state-based competition up there) plays its season between October and March. But it has not stopped AFL games being played there across the season.</p> <p>And the appetite for football up there is second to none.</p> <p>While the Gold Coast Suns are currently doing a fantastic job with their partnership up there growing the game – and winning up there to boot, A team based out of the Territory would be awesome for the game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canberra</h2> <p>The Giants have done a fantastic job establishing the nation's capital as their second home away from Western Sydney.</p> <p>However, there is a growing feeling among Canberrans that they are ready for their own piece of action if and when a 20th team is introduced.</p> <p>The movement is gaining momentum with bigger average crowds coming to Giants games in Canberra than those at Engie Stadium.</p> <p>It is a place with two strongly supported Rugby teams and a soccer team, and it could be the option that is staring the AFL right in the face.</p>

<h2>Norwood</h2> <p>The left-field option emerged from the field when the Redlegs declared they were interested in joining the big leagues.</p> <p>One of the foundation clubs of the SANFL, Norwood has expressed an interest in acquiring the 20th license should it go out to tender.</p> <p>Like the other two options listed above, they have already had a chance to show the unique offerings the Parade would bring as an AFL venue having hosted matches in the first two editions of Gather Round.</p> <p>It seems unlikely due to the size and demand for a third team in South Australia not quite being there, but if it were to happen, that straight-line boundary on the broadcast side would take some getting used to.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Newcastle</h2> <p>When the great Kevin Sheedy presents a wild and out-there idea, the AFL usually listens.</p> <p>His latest one was that if there was going to be another team entering the AFL from New South Wales, it should be Newcastle.</p> <p>It is an idea that reportedly stems from his time spent back at GWS in their early years where he identified the Hunter Valley as a place for boom expansion, along with the west of Sydney.</p> <p>It would be hard to see it happening with more viable options on the table as listed above, but it's an idea that is certainly out there.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>A Third Team in WA</h2> <p>This seems like another logical option. Another team in a footy heartland state</p> <p>Yet there seems to be some resistance to it, particularly from the Western Australian footballing community.</p> <p>There is so much land mass, and money in WA that another team in the area makes the most sense to add a third team in the state.</p> <p>But it seems that the Sandgropers are content with having their state split down the middle with Eagles and Dockers. Not leaving any room for another team to enter the fray.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Or, they could do this…</h2> <p>Adding a 20th team seems inevitable if they get to 19 teams.&nbsp;</p> <p>But the talent pool is already stretched across the competition as it is and very soon, We will need to find another 45 odd players to make up a 19th list.</p> <p>Not saying they’re going to do it, But would the AFL be looking for a club to shut up shop or relocate?</p> <p>Maybe one of the lowly Victorian clubs (cough* St Kilda, cough* North Melbourne) who continually struggle to find their place and cut through as meaningful teams in the league?</p> <p>They’ve tried before and were told to get stuffed. It will probably be the same outcome but it won’t stop them from asking again if they think it’s the best idea.</p>