Tasmania

[Wells 11 5,422]

Tassie wants an 8 game a year side that might not be hawthorn or North. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-26/tassie-wants-one-team-only-

Im probably going to get torn down for this but consider this possibility. We play 8 home games in Tassie and perhaps retain 6 home games at the G as well, as some kind of benefit. Maybe with other sides home games we end up playing 10 games at the G? We get some dough and probably eventually get successful again which means big crowds at the G and better time slots, ( anyone remember them?) sponsors etc etc etc

i just cant see how we're going to thrive ( as opposed to just survive) unless we do something like this. Either this or the AFL builds a boutique stadium somewhere and we get something like Geelongs stadium deal. Which is a bit unlikely. Its true money won't solve all our problems but it would sure take care of a lot of them. I'd rather go 6 - 10 times a year and actually enjoy it ( almost forgotten the feeling) than go more and see more of the way it is right now.

Am I being sacreligous?

[Je Roos Salem 661]

14 home games?

[DemonFrog 1,356]

How about no games in Tassie.

The team is called Melbourne and I will leave to you to figure out where it should play.

[Wells 11 5,422]

How about no games in Tassie.

The team is called Melbourne and I will leave to you to figure out where it should play.

Well ...wherever it is, make sure you tell the players.

[Kenny Powers 90]

You say you would rather go 6-10 times a year and enjoy it, how will moving to TAS help develop our players?

One step at a time.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

Tassie deserves its own side, expansion was always on the cards. 18 clubs is the limit, can only stretch the talent so far. GC and GWS had to happen first in the eyes of the far controller due to other codes moving in. Tassie has always been an AFL state and has been pushing for its own team for years. If the western bulldogs were in our shoes now would they be given the North/GC treatment/offer?? Move now and all debts will be cleared ,$$$$ + picks + we will build you a new stadium. The MCG is our home and we need to put the dogs to the sword there this weekend. Hawthorns and Norths cameo appearances in the apple isle is appreciated but has probably only fuelled there want for a stand alone team. Its only a matter of time before there are nine clubs in Melbourne with the tenth relocating. We appear to be safe, the dogs or north may not be so lucky.

[Alf Stewart 73]

If I was an outsider loooking in with no vested interest I would say that the Dees are almost certainties to go to Tasmania after the AFL now effectively pulls our strings and has their fist firmly up our backside.

The Name is obviously the key issue. I am sure the AFL could come up with some wanky compromise. Melbourne Tassie Devils or some carp. If they want it to hapen and some market research gurus OK's it we are farked.

[DemonFrog 1,356]

Well ...wherever it is, make sure you tell the players.

No need its on their uniform

[Alf Stewart 73]

No need its on their uniform

Webjet?

[Nasher 33,617]

Tassie deserves its own side, expansion was always on the cards. 18 clubs is the limit, can only stretch the talent so far. GC and GWS had to happen first in the eyes of the far controller due to other codes moving in. Tassie has always been an AFL state and has been pushing for its own team for years. If the western bulldogs were in our shoes now would they be given the North/GC treatment/offer?? Move now and all debts will be cleared ,$$$$ + picks + we will build you a new stadium. The MCG is our home and we need to put the dogs to the sword there this weekend. Hawthorns and Norths cameo appearances in the apple isle is appreciated but has probably only fuelled there want for a stand alone team. Its only a matter of time before there are nine clubs in Melbourne with the tenth relocating. We appear to be safe, the dogs or north may not be so lucky.

The issue here is that everyone here (in Tasmania) already barracks for a side. Starting an expansion side here would not have made any sense; the teams that play here now fill the stands, and memberships would simply come at the expense of other clubs. A relocation would be even worse; chances of me ever buying a membership of a rebadged Footscray? A Tassie side is a nice idea from a romantic perspective, but makes no business sense whatsoever, so it will never happen.

[DemonFrog 1,356]

Webjet?

LOL

[Yossarian 1,820]

How about no games in Tassie.

The team is called Melbourne and I will leave to you to figure out where it should play.

They come here, they steal our jobs, they steal my jobs, livin in my houses. It's called Australia damn it, not foreignerland.

[DemonFrog 1,356]

They come here, they steal our jobs, they steal my jobs, livin in my houses. It's called Australia damn it, not foreignerland.

Its good I live in WA then.

Lots of work over here.

A Tasmanian once told me the only reason they live in Tasmania is because they can't swim. You must know the ones who can swim.

LOL

[Schneider 220]

No

[CBDees 3,167]

Ten home games at the G, two in Darwin, NONE at Etihad and two away games in Tassie against Hawthorn or the Tassie Roos!

[McQueen 17,867]

How about no games in Tassie.

The team is called Melbourne and I will leave to you to figure out where it should play.

I vote Perth.

[Gippsland Dee 367]

NT for us, is Tassie for the Hawks and Kangaroos and we seem to be trying to expand more in the NT. Also we are a part of the casey area, which some time down the track could have a few home games for us during the season. Tassie would be nice, but i think we missed the boat for that one.

[DemonFrog 1,356]

I vote Perth.

Its true Perth is also called the Demons but they their red and black is just so wrong.

I vote West Perth myself as their colours are red and blue and club song is "its a grand old flag" plus they were once called the Victorians

[Adam The God 30,420]

The issue here is that everyone here (in Tasmania) already barracks for a side. Starting an expansion side here would not have made any sense; the teams that play here now fill the stands, and memberships would simply come at the expense of other clubs. A relocation would be even worse; chances of me ever buying a membership of a rebadged Footscray? A Tassie side is a nice idea from a romantic perspective, but makes no business sense whatsoever, so it will never happen.

Whilst I agree to some extent, Nasher, GWS makes little business sense either. That club will burn a hole in the AFL's pocket for years to come. You only have to look at all of Sydney's success, yet their membership base remains poor. What I'm saying is that the AFL won't necessarily be put off by this if they want a true national competition.

I can't see the sense in the OP though. Especially since we've set up the NT initiative. I'd look at maybe playing three or four games in the NT down the track, but that would only be on the basis of a fruitful, growing relationship. Whilst I'd prefer to watch every MFC game live at the 'G, particularly the home games, it makes sense if we are struggling to get more than 25,000 for an MFC v GCS or MFC v GWS or MFC v PA etc, that we transfer those games to the NT. But eight games interstate? You may as well let the AFL stamp your relocation papers. Talk about selling your soul.

Edited June 26, 2013 by AdamFarr

[Nasher 33,617]

Whilst I agree to some extent, Nasher, GWS makes little business sense either. That club will burn a hole in the AFL's pocket for years to come. You only have to look at all of Sydney's success, yet their membership base remains poor. What I'm saying is that the AFL won't necessarily be put off by this if they want a true national competition.

That's the downside risk of course, but it's only looking at one half of the picture. The downside risk between a GWS side and a Tasmanian side is the same: no growth. What if the GWS side does lead to growth in Sydney, though (which is the AFL's view)? The game will have grown and the AFL will have tapped in to a new demographic it didn't have access to before. There's nobody to tap in to Tasmania, we're already a captive market down here,

[Adam The God 30,420]

Yeah, fair enough. That makes sense.

[mjt 640]

IF your where are NO 1 draft pick would you go live in Tassie for 12 years, no offence Nasher, the AFL will never have a team in Tassie for that reason, they no the side will never hold its players, buy obviously there not going to publicly say this, it's as simple as that.

[Little Richard 6,265]

IF your where are NO 1 draft pick would you go live in Tassie for 12 years, no offence Nasher, the AFL will never have a team in Tassie for that reason, they no the side will never hold its players, buy obviously there not going to publicly say this, it's as simple as that.

It took me a few moments to get through the first four words of that post...

I do think the problem is far more of a financial one however you are right about players. But I'm sure if the AFL actually pursued this idea they'd make it worth the players while to stay down there a la GWS.

[Dee Dee 1,117]

What's the strength (if any ) of other codes in Tasmania?

Is there a concern for the AFL in that regard?

[Little Richard 6,265]

What's the strength (if any ) of other codes in Tasmania?Is there a concern for the AFL in that regard?

Not very strong at all, two headed kids don't make good sportsmen. Howe and Punter were the lucky ones.