WHEN the Pies sunk the Hawks by less than a kick at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, it seemed safe to assume that the drama of Gather Round was over for another year.
Rumours of that being far from the case spread like wildfire on Monday morning and they were quickly proven right, with a number of heavy hitters descending on Lyndoch to make a groundbreaking, or more accurately groundmaking announcement just before midday.
While the Barossa has loomed as a logical, popular and deserving recipient of a Gather Round contest since the idea was birthed, few could have predicted how it would play out.
The region is home to a plethora of capable venues and towns, not least of which Tanunda, which boasts a brand new precinct well-equipped to hold an AFL contest with a couple of tweaks.
Naturally, the decision to host the match at Lyndoch turned a few heads, but it quickly became apparent that this resolution has been in the pipeline for a long time.
While the reaction to the news has been largely positive from locals, plenty have also called out the Premier and council for what they believe to be a misuse of funds.
These concerns no doubt come from a place of great care and hold plenty of weight, but it would be naive to suggest that this additional funding only benefits the sporting community.
One thing northerners can all agree on following backto-back years of Mount Barker playing host, though, is at least the round is finally going regional as advertised.
