CARLTON has had discussions with the AFL about playing a game on the Gold Coast in 2009.

The Blues, however, would only entertain a game at Carrara — which could be expected to reap the club $400,000 — in exchange for one of its home games at Telstra Dome.

Carlton is the latest club to have held discussions with the AFL about playing on the Gold Coast, in place of North Melbourne. Collingwood and St Kilda have also indicated a willingness to play there next year, if the deal — including a suitable draw and minimal travel — is right.

Carlton's motivation for considering a Gold Coast game is based upon the club's modest financial returns from home games at Telstra Dome, where it has a long-term deal to play six of its 11 home games a year. The Blues play the remaining five at the MCG, including the blockbusters against Collingwood and Essendon.

The Blues recently drew 38,675 to their round eight game against the Brisbane Lions, but it is understood to have received only modest returns from that game — a fraction of what anchor tenant Essendon and Collingwood would receive for the same turnout.

The Magpies, who play only two home games at Telstra Dome this season, are believed to be guaranteed $200,000 a home game at the Dome, regardless of the crowd. Essendon has the best arrangement of all clubs at the Dome, with a clause in its contract stipulating that no club can receive a better deal.

Carlton would seek to play a Gold Coast game against a club such as Fremantle or Port Adelaide, an opponent that would draw a smaller crowd at Telstra Dome.

Assuming the AFL paid the Blues the same $400,000 for a Carrara game that it has given North Melbourne, the return could be more than 10 times what Carlton would receive for the same match at its primary home ground.

St Kilda has put its hand up for multiple games on the Gold Coast from next year, as the AFL seeks to find clubs to fill the breach in 2009 and 2010 after North Melbourne's decision not to relocate.

The Roos were to play three games at Carrara in 2009, but the AFL released it from that deal once the club chose to remain in Melbourne.

The Saints are considered likely to be granted at least one game at Carrara, its case strengthened by a healthy turn-out of their supporters in last weekend's game against North.

Collingwood's bid for a Gold Coast presence is more problematic because the club's drawing power in Melbourne — and the resultant requests from Victorian clubs to play the Magpies — reduces the options for shifting games north.

Carlton's returns from Telstra Dome games have been a sore point for the Blues administration, which believes the club should receive a higher return. Telstra Dome, run by Carlton's former president Ian Collins, notes that the Blues received an upfront payment of about $2.5 million when it agreed to play a majority of its home games at the Dome.