Melbourne considers extra Canberra clash

MELBOURNE chief executive Paul McNamee has revealed that the Demons are looking to secure an extra fixture in Canberra next year in a bid to boost the club's coffers.

The Demons already have one home fixture in the nation’s capital, which they play this weekend against Sydney on Sunday at Manuka Oval.

They receive $310,000 in AFL funding for the ACT visit however the club is hoping to double that revenue next year by adding the extra game.

"We are looking at requesting another game," McNamee told Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper.

"We have tentatively let them (the AFL) know that’s the direction we’re going…people know we’re in debt and they know we’re losing money so it’s responsible to do that."

However McNamee said Melbourne has no interest in playing fixtures in Tasmania or the Gold Coast.

"Canberra’s our preference to build a little hub there. We think we’d fit in well with our brother capital.

"It fits in well with our strategy, having another beachhead in a place where other clubs really aren’t there. We’re waiting for the AFL’s view."

However McNamee was reluctant about playing any more than two fixtures at Manuka.

"That would probably be about it," he said.