West Coast played the Gold Coast at Joondalup earlier in the year. Credit:Getty Images "It would definitely put us on the national map. The population in the Peel region is growing so in the long term it is definitely viable." However, Perth's north is also a very attractive prospect. As one of the most rapidly growing regions in the state, areas such as Joondalup and Wanneroo could generate a formidable AFL franchise. "Joondalup is the natural choice for a third AFL team out of Western Australia," Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said this week. West Perth is comfortably established in Joondalup at HBF Arena, while the Peel Thunder is revelling at Rushton Park. The grounding is already there on which a great sporting organisation could be built. And the support is there too. The combined average attendance across all venues for the 2015 WAFL season was just under 23,000 - this rivals, and beats, several AFL clubs.

Mandurah MP David Templeman says Rushton Park is a perfect place for AFL footy, after a successful pre-season clash between Fremantle and Richmond. Credit:Paul Kane Two weeks ago the Dockers took on Richmond at Rushton Park in round one of the NAB Challenge and proved the facilities could accommodate the game at the highest level. The only issue Mr Templeman has against a Mandurah based AFL team is the fact that it would fracture his love for the Fremantle Dockers. "I'd have to lose my allegiance to the Dockers that's for sure," he mused. That comment holds validity in raising questions regarding how a third team would work with the Eagles and Dockers already so concretely established. Some believe a third team would ruin the theatre of the Western Derby we've come to know and love. Yet a quick look at the WAFL or the 10 Victorian-based AFL clubs would show that more teams in one place, can actually generate more excitement and interest.

The biggest hurdle facing a third WA-based team, is the need for it to be economically and financially viable. Dr. Andrew Williams a senior economics lecturer at the University of Western Australia believes a simple mathematical assessment of WA's population with three teams, and Victoria's population with 10 teams, displays economic feasibility. The bigger economic concern however, would be getting resources and supporters behind a new team. "If you're simply diluting what already exists for two teams between three, then there is no real economic benefit. It's about expanding the pie vs just having the same pie and splitting it three ways instead of two," Dr Williams said. By looking at the AFL's most recent expansion efforts, it's fair to say that wouldn't be hard. The Gold Coast Suns and The Greater Western Sydney Giants aren't exactly selling out stadiums - in fact, they're hardly filling them at all. Neither club has more 14,000 members. In 2015, the Suns average home crowd was 12,360 people while the Giants was 10,786. WA hosted two preliminary finals in 2015 and the dream of a derby Grand Final could soon turn into a reality.

But the ultimate decision about a third WA AFL team will rest with the AFL and it would take a shift of thinking at league headquarters for it to happen. While former AFL chief Andrew Demetriou mentioned a third side in the west in 2009, he then said the idea was on the backburner in 2013 - by which time both GWS and the Gold Coast had entered the competition. His successor, Gillon McLachlan, has said a Tasmanian team is more likely than another WA outfit but also emphasised that he thinks an Apple Isle entrant is at least a decade away. Follow WAtoday on Twitter