The general manager of AFL Cairns has made a compelling case for Hawthorn to establish its next home away from home in Far North Queensland, following the club's confirmed departure from Tasmania. Craig Lees believes the Hawks can build another quarter-century dynasty in Cairns, forging a lasting connection with a region ripe for AFL expansion.
Hawthorn's Forced Exit from Tasmania
Earlier this week, Hawthorn's exit from Tasmania was officially confirmed, prompting the club to seek a new secondary home base. While several options are being considered by CEO Ashley Klein and the executive team, Cairns has emerged as a strong contender, largely due to the club's existing ties to the region through its AFLW partnership. The women's team has played one home game per year in Cairns for the past three seasons, with discussions ongoing to extend that arrangement into 2027 and beyond.
Craig Lees' Vision for the "Northern Nest"
Lees expressed confidence that Hawthorn would receive overwhelming support from tourism and advocacy bodies if they brought a premiership men's game to Far North Queensland. "Our advocacy groups scream out for opportunities like this to stimulate our economy and tourism," he told this masthead. "I'd love for Hawthorn to create what they've done in Launceston for the next 25 years here. Our region is only growing—250,000 people are going to live in Cairns by 2050. How good would it be if we then had Hawthorn playing premiership matches here for the next 25 years?"
Lees drew parallels to Hawthorn's successful tenure in Launceston, where the club built a strong fan base and contributed to local development. "Let's get the Northern Nest to Cairns and let's see if they can create a dynasty in our region for a quarter-century like they did in Launceston," he added.
Cairns: A Growing AFL Hub in NRL Territory
Despite Cairns sitting firmly on the rugby league side of the Barassi Line, the region boasts an impressive Aussie rules presence. AFL Cairns has developed a robust junior program from Auskick through to under-17s for both boys and girls, and the senior competition attracts state league players from across the country. The region's "Footy in Paradise" promotional campaign has drawn high-profile players like Dustin Martin, Gary Ablett Jr., Trent Cotchin, Dane Swan, and Charlie Dixon to local matches in recent years.
Lees highlighted the growth of women's and girls' football, which has surged by 33% since Hawthorn's involvement began. "Since Hawthorn's involvement commenced in-region through the AFLW contract, we've had brand new under-9s and under-13s girls competitions to which Hawthorn is offering support. They helped launch the Port Douglas women's team's licence three years ago," he said. "That's the tangible piece. You bring the women's game in and it goes for 100 minutes, but there's 280 hours of community attached to what they give the region."
Cazalys Stadium: A Venue Ready for the AFL
AFL Cairns has owned the freehold for Cazalys Stadium since 1994, and the venue has been certified as an international standard cricket ground, hosting Australia vs. South Africa white-ball matches in August 2025. Lees described the stadium as "one of the best" in the country, a sentiment echoed by many players who have competed there. The venue is well-positioned to host AFL matches, with modern facilities and capacity for large crowds.
Lessons from the Gold Coast Exit
Lees acknowledged the setback when the Gold Coast Suns ended their Cairns presence after 2022, leaving the region without a men's AFL game for three years. "From 2023 to 2026 we've had no men's game here in Cairns, and you don't know the impact that's going to have," he said. "We haven't had a player drafted out of the region in eight years, and we're probably not producing as many fans to come and watch those elite athletes because they've got to jump on a plane and go down south."
Despite these challenges, Lees remains optimistic about the future. "We still feel that North Queensland has a massive place for premiership men's matches, and there's now a great opportunity to make that happen with Hawthorn," he concluded.
