SA Premier Channels Donald Trump in Hilarious AFL Gather Round Speech
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has stirred up laughter and raised eyebrows with a speech reminiscent of former US President Donald Trump, delivered at a Gather Round dinner on Wednesday evening. The event, held at Penfold's Magill Estate with premium Grange wine flowing, saw Malinauskas address over 250 guests, including top AFL officials, as he humorously pressured the league to retain Gather Round exclusively in South Australia.
Gather Round's Future Hangs in the Balance
With Gather Round set to kick off in a blockbuster match between Adelaide and Carlton on Thursday, all eyes are on South Australia as the host of this unique AFL round. Since its inception in 2023, Gather Round has been held solely in SA, and negotiations are underway between Premier Malinauskas and AFL chief Andrew Dillon for a contract extension. However, with details still unresolved, Malinauskas opted for a bold, comedic approach to sway the league.
In his speech, Malinauskas referenced global events, saying, "It's important to acknowledge that there have been a couple of darker clouds hanging over the lead-up to this weekend." He mentioned the conflict in Iran and a recent ceasefire, then pivoted to the local issue, stating, "I thought, well, maybe I need to take a leaf out of the book of the world's greatest self-proclaimed dealmaker and negotiator. I'm going to change our negotiating tactic, Andrew (Dillon)."
A Trump-Esque Social Media Mock Post
Malinauskas escalated the humor by mimicking a post on Trump's Truth Social platform, declaring, "To Craig Drummond (new AFL commission chairman) and other members of the commission, I should let you know that I'm about to post to Truth Social the following: 'So on the Gather Round extension, you f***ing crazy bastards, we'll all be living in hell, just watch. Speak to the Jarmans, the Eberts' ... thank you for your attention to this matter." This playful jab highlighted his determination to secure the event for SA, while also genuinely thanking the AFL for the platform it has provided the state.
He emphasized, "Its power has been extraordinary. There is something very, very special about it," underscoring the economic and cultural benefits of Gather Round for South Australia.
AFL Chief Responds with Cautious Optimism
Earlier in the evening, AFL chief Andrew Dillon acknowledged South Australia's efforts, stating, "SA has put its best foot forward over four years, and all of Australia has embraced Gather Round." He expressed optimism about ongoing discussions with the premier, adding, "I'm looking forward to fruitful discussions with the premier."
Dillon also addressed future league changes, noting that with Tasmania joining, the AFL will move to 22 or 24 rounds from the current 23. He affirmed, "Gather Round is unique ... it works really well in Adelaide," but cautioned about complexities due to an additional game and new competition structure. When asked if moving Gather Round from Adelaide would be silly, he quipped, "I've been accused of a lot of things and silly is one of them. Gather Round works here."
He concluded by saying announcements could come this weekend or later, depending on negotiations. The lighthearted yet tense exchange sets the stage for crucial talks as South Australia vies to keep its prized AFL event.
