Collingwood are in “preliminary” conversations with the AFL to potentially host a game next year in Queensland against a Victorian rival.

The Magpies are reportedly keen to host a game in Queensland at People First Stadium that would fall in a two-week window where the club would remain on the Gold Coast and face the Suns in a consecutive round, per 9 News.

The reigning premiers would host a game interstate in a bid to “grow the supporter base across the country”, with a fellow Victorian club slated as the likely opponent for the Magpies if the concept was approved by the AFL.

The idea would mean one of Collingwood’s two Marvel Stadium home matches would be held at Carrara instead of the Docklands venue.

 

“Collingwood is lobbying the AFL to play one of their home games next year on the Gold Coast,” reporter Tom Morris revealed on Thursday night.

“They currently have two matches that are locked in for Marvel Stadium, one of these would move to Carrara.

“Unlike examples like Melbourne who have moved (home games) interstate for financial reasons, my understanding is that is seen as a way to grow the supporter base across the country.

“The Magpies, under this plan, would spend two weeks on the Gold Coast. They’d play against the Suns then host another Victorian team.

“Collingwood has told me tonight that conversations are very preliminary and that the Pies would look after Victorian-based members if this did happen.”

Carrara recorded its highest-ever AFL crowd in 2014 when the Magpies faced the Suns in Round 16 of that season, with 24,032 fans rolling through the gates.

The clash between Collingwood and the Suns last year saw over 22,000 fans attend the game, with the interstate side having a strong showing from their faithful.

The Magpies and Brisbane had 34,022 fans pack the Gabba earlier this year for a grand final rematch in Queensland, while Collingwood return to the Gold Coast next month to face the Suns in Round 16.