Whyalla is finishing 2020 on a high, with the news it is set to host an AFL pre-season match for the second year in a row.
Through their partnership with Sanjeev Gupta – whose GFG Alliance owns the Whyalla Steelworks and associated mining operations – Port Adelaide will make a welcome return to Bennett Oval in February where they will play Carlton as part of the 2021 AFL Community Series.
The pre-season game will mark the Power’s second year playing an AFL match at Bennett Oval, following their win over the Western Bulldogs at the same venue earlier this year.
City of Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin was delighted with the announcement.
“This is great news for all football and sporting fans in general in Whyalla and indeed the region, and a fantastic event for our community” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“An AFL game in Whyalla will once again put our city on the national stage and provide an immediate economic boost, with last year’s game bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional spending.
“It will mean more motels and caravan parks booked out, more pubs and restaurants serving meals, and more retail outlets benefitting from an influx of people to Whyalla.”
Last year Council budgeted $2.8m to redevelop Bennett Oval – with support from the South Australian Government, SANFL and SACA – upgrading the facilities and renovating the oval surface up to AFL and national cricket standards.
And the investment paid off, with the inaugural AFL match at Bennet Oval seeing around 5,000 spectators flow through the gates to enjoy the thrill and excitement of a live game and soak up the perfect Whyalla weather. The improvements impressed Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, who enjoyed the experience and commended council for the condition of the ground.
Mayor McLaughlin said news of the upcoming AFL pre-season match was a wonderful way to end the year, giving the community an event to look forward to.
“Despite all the negativity of COVID-19, this has actually been quite a momentous year for Whyalla,” she said.
“We began with the first AFL pre-season game in more than 20 years; construction commenced on the new $100 million State Government high school; plans for an exciting new foreshore hotel began to take shape; we officially opened our new world-class jetty; major upgrades to our airport commenced; and we now round out the year with this fantastic news.
“There’s a real buzz around Whyalla, with the community genuinely excited for our future, so we’re looking forward to an even more eventful year in 2021.”
The game will take place at Bennett Oval from 4.40pm local time on Sunday 21 February.
Ticketing details will be released soon.
