The high-flying Canberra Raiders currently sit first on the competition table and headed for their first minor premiership since 1990.
Ricky Stuart’s Green Machine has never looked so good.
Their last title win came back in 1994 – when they still played out of the old Bruce Stadium – which doubles as the home of the Australian Institute of Sport.
By 1998, the stadium had been given a facelift ahead of the 2000 Olympics where Canberra would host some soccer games.
News flash.
It’s now 2025.
“GIO Stadium is almost 50 years old,” Raiders CEO Don Furner told SEN Radio back in February.
“It’s not fit for purpose anymore and it’s sad because we’re the nation’s capital.
“We should have a good stadium.”
At the time, Furner threatened to take home games away from Canberra while using Christchurch as a city that bounced back from an earthquake to build a state-of-the-art new stadium.
“We said to our [ACT] government… here is a city affected by an earthquake. They were broke. They had half the population leave and they only had half the population of Canberra anyway.
“They voted that they needed a centrepiece that would attract concerts, the All Blacks, a host team.
“It’s an amazing story and an amazing stadium.
“If they can afford it surely we can, with federal and ACT government money.
“But it’s not to be at this stage.”
Enter Andrew Barr.
The ACT’s Chief Minister.
With all the subtly of a brick to the face.
Barr, reportedly a feverish patsy for the other code, announced in Budget Estimates recently that there was no money for a brand-new stadium on the Bruce site.
If that wasn’t enough for Victor the Viking to spit out his lime milk and Corn Flakes – Barr rubbed it in everyone’s face.
Bruce Stadium “isn’t a state asset”.
It’s the federal government’s problem.
“There’s still usable life within Canberra Stadium [and] the [ACT] government’s view is that the facility is still fit-for-purpose.
“It’s got more than a decade [left] but it’s not our asset.”
Ten more years!
Tell that to Raiders and Brumbies fans.
“I would expect the Commonwealth would contribute 100% of funding.”
But it’s not his asset, remember.
The federal government has set aside $10 million for a new precinct at Bruce but what does $10m get you, these days?
Barr, who has also been ACT’s Tourism Minister since 2006, signed off on GWS Giants playing games in Canberra until at least 2032 just a couple of years ago.
GWS have been playing games in the ACT since they entered the AFL in 2012.
“The Giants are now well established in Canberra with a loyal supporter base including more than 6,400 members based in Canberra and the surrounding region.
“Regular AFL fixtures at Manuka Oval have already delivered significant economic benefits for the ACT through direct expenditure, tourism and destination marketing.
“The Giants and AFL reach a national audience which provides a significant opportunity to promote Canberra, raise awareness of the city and support growth of our tourism sector.”
While the Giants / ACT partnership has greased itself along for over a decade – Barr’s government has also strung locals along with empty promises about a state-of-the-art new stadium precinct in the heart of Canberra.
Forget three GWS Giants game a year at Manuka.
Now we’re talking a full season of NRL and NRLW, Super Rugby, Test Rugby, A-League, Socceroos, Matildas, concerts and other special events.
Talk about “economic benefits”.
After rubbishing the Bruce precinct, Barr was back in the media but was now pumping up Canberra as the AFL’s 20th expansion club.
“The government’s long-term partnership with the Giants [which he helped hatch in 2012] ensures that the Territory has a seat at the national AFL table.
“If the AFL decides to expand to 20 teams, Canberra’s proven support for the game, including growing membership, sell-out crowds and infrastructure commitments, will speak for itself.”
You can understand why officials at clubs like the Raiders are banging their heads against the wall.
It appears that even if Canberra don’t get their own AFL license – Barr will continue to throw large sums of money at the AFL and GWS.
All the while, this young, fearless, bright-eyed Raiders team continues to grow and build momentum.
The Raiders have put the city back on the map.
Guess the thousands of rugby league, rugby union, soccer fans, among others will just have to suck it up.
6400 local Giants fans, remember?
The other codes will never get any help while Señor Barr is in charge.
