AFL Will Play First Match Outside Australia In New Zealand Next Year

Wellington, New Zealand "will host the first Australian Football League premiership match outside Australia" next year when the St. Kilda Saints play the Sydney Swans at Westpac Stadium on Anzac Day, according to the AP. The Wellington City Council, St. Kilda FC and the AFL signed an agreement for the city to be a "premier partner" of the Saints. It will allow it to host "home-away-from-home games" each season (AP, 9/12). In Wellington, Sam Worthington reported that an agreement reached between the Wellington City Council, St. Kilda and the AFL is aimed at "increasing the popularity of Australian Rules football" in New Zealand. The deal was announced at AFL House in Melbourne Wednesday with the council's Sports Portfolio Leader John Morrison, Saints officials and AFL COO Gillon McLachlan (DOMINION POST, 9/12).