Ben Buckley: Expansion still on...in Canberra?

"But if you look at the game overall, participation is still growing, hopefully we're going to take that next step and qualify for the World Cup, so there's some real momentum there....

"So we're not worried for the long term. We think the game generally is in good shape.

On expansion, Buckley added: "We're committed to expansion. Our business plan accommodates expansion. We have to make sure we select the right partners, with the right amount of capital....But we're very close to signing an agreement with the consortium in Melbourne, and we've got a number of other proposals for the 12th licence. Nothing at this stage will slow it [expansion] down."

From the SMH today. Clearly if Canberra has sufficient funds they will push their way in.