EXCLUSIVE: A government report states that a Tasmanian AFL team would be based in Hobart, but play in Launceston as well
? | Tasmania presses case for Hobart-based AFL team at new stadium

It's coming

The AFL doesn't want it simply because they believe they have Tassie locked up without further cutting the pie.

The politics around delay will be fascinating.

10 teams in Melbourne ???

I love that they form a commission who comes back to report that they need:

1. 7-8 million per season in Government funding - which in fairness they currently get rorted for by Hawthorn and North.

2. I'm guessing at least 500 Million for a 30k stadium in the middle of Hobart because the recently renovated 20k stadium a short paddle away is suddenly inadequate. Even though they confirm games will be split so it's probably 7-8 games in Hobart per season.

Tassie should have a team but I'm against 19 teams, against merger/relocations and every year that the Suns and Giants exist for makes it very unlikely they get moved.

My advice - get Tassie back in the VFL and build a footy club with fans, volunteers, depth players, local heroes. Build something organic from the ground up rather than everything based around big chunks of cash.

While I'm in full support of a Tasmanian side, the AFL lost its chance years ago, when they were trying to force North to Queensland.

Sadly, for the Tasmanians, the economics still don't stack up.  $7-8M from the government?  Clubs currently get $1M per game for those games in Shanghai, NT, NZ etc.  So double that amount and you might be in the ball park..

Split between North and South?  As DeeSpencer has pointed out, spending big bucks on an oval that will be used only for 7-8 games ( if they are lucky) in Hobart means either the stadium won't be built or the games in Launceston won't happen. 

Still with an election in the next couple of years, there is plenty of opportunity for pork barrelling ( again, and from either side). 

A few semi random thoughts:

*  Perhaps Tassie should push for a AFLW team, build and establish a following from there.  Could take on it's own momentum and force the AFL's hand.  I don't think establishing a Tassie VFL side would be much use as it wouldn't attract anything like the same media attention and would be like conceding that a Tassie side would be perennially relegated to the minor league.

*  I don't think an AFL side would have any problems attracting and retaining tallent.

*  Taking the millions of dollars in sponsorship away from Hawthorn (and perhaps a few of their members/supporters too) would be almost as good as establishing a Tassie team in it's self.  This reason alone should be enough for at least 16 other clubs to support a Tassie team.

I think the AFL need to go BANG during an off season and just do it. Get the ground work done quiety before and then anounce a Tassie team. Too much public/media navel gazing for months or years on end will dilute the effectiveness of such a move. Can the AFL be trusted to do it properly? Unfortunately I think it means one Vic club will not exist in its current form. 

This is about re election and has no basis in reality!

The economics of this proposal make no sense...you can;'t split the home games or you won't make enough money on the gate half the time!

 

The government are expected to ship in 7-8M a year....wait until Tassie has another economic downturn and the opposing political party withdraws or reduces funding coming into election for essential services! 

Its a joke that people think the AFL would happily allow a new club into the league they know won't ever be viable whilst also adding to commercial value to TV rights deals as people in Tassie already watch the footy, so the question is how does this make the league better or add value? 

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Dee Watcher said:

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Its a joke that people think the AFL would happily allow a new club into the league they know won't ever be viable whilst also adding to commercial value to TV rights deals as people in Tassie already watch the footy, so the question is how does this make the league better or add value? 

 

 

 

Astonishing that people are falling for the won't be viable line. Seriously, when do you think GWS or GC will be viable in their own right?

A Tassie team (some say they'll be the Tassie Tigers, or Tassie Devils...but me, I say call them the Tassie Maps) is inevitable, and fully deserved. Tassie has supplied more champions than its relatively small population would suggest likely. The game is (used to be) loved down there, but the truth is, it is in trouble and a Tassie team would help restore its status If you don't believe it's in trouble consider that Burnie, one of the teams that ushered Russell Robertson into our ranks, no longer has a team. The suggestion that Tasmania will always support the game is ignorant of what is happening.

As for viable, viable is what the AFL decides is viable. They propped us up, they are propping up the expansion clubs and they have the capacity to prop up Tasmania while it develops its team. Incidentally, there are already climate change refugees already bolstering its population which is increasing, hence its economic capacity is rising also. 

Another reason for liking a genuine Tasmanian team is that it pulls some millions out of two of our competitors.

Car'n the Maps of Tasmania!!

 

Can happen ;

AFL Boss wants it?

A Tassie Team will not just be people living in Tasmania as members. There are thousands of Tasmanians living in other States

Like me I'll always be a Dees Member, but would also become a Tassie member

The Team will be exposed on the national front, and will attract National Sponsors, plus Tasmanian business

Over 45000 Tasmanians already indicated their financial support

GWS and Suns have been given zillions , + Draft concessions to succeed.

Tassie has produced more champions per capita than any other state. Ever heard of Hudson, Hart, Baldock, Robertson,  Stewart, Sutton Lawrence, Lynch, to name a very few and apologies to the many I've not mentioned? Even Nieta was born there.

6 million in Melbourne supporting 10 teams,  (600,000) per team, roughly the pop of Tasmania , plus those living interstate

It can happen, just need 'a coalition of the willing!'

It wont happen but North to play all their away games in Tasmania and all their home games in Melbourne would be a sensible solution. Base the team admin in Tasmania and transition the playing group over say five years.

We all know something like this is needed.

3 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

 

Split between North and South?  As DeeSpencer has pointed out, spending big bucks on an oval that will be used only for 7-8 games ( if they are lucky) in Hobart means either the stadium won't be built or the games in Launceston won't happen. 

 

You mean like Kardinia Park where the cats play regularly to less than full crowds in a 35 ish thousand capacity stadium.

Geelong has sucked huge capital from govt into the stadium for elite users - despite the spin its for the community too, at the expense of more worthwhile projects in the city

45 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

It wont happen but North to play all their away games in Tasmania and all their home games in Melbourne would be a sensible solution. Base the team admin in Tasmania and transition the playing group over say five years.

We all know something like this is needed.

sensible? you must be kidding

Bespoke Guernsey design concept, complete with Sponsor

Yes, back to my day job (best keep it).

Edited February 7, 20205 yr by TRIGON

10 minutes ago, TRIGON said:

Bespoke Guernsey design concept, complete with Sponsor

Yes, back to my day job (best keep it).

good start.......but need to get the maroon in too

Colours of Tasmania

Sporting colours

Bottle green	PMS colour 342
Yellow	PMS colour 114
Maroon	PMS colour 194

Lived in Hobart for a few years. The divide between Launceston and Hobart is the sole reason it won't work. Tassie population is around 300,000. 10% of the population will need to sign up. Could a stadium at Ross, halfway between both cities with an updated rail to the stadium work? 

Green Bay only have a population of 100,000 and they have a rather successful NFL team. 

Tassie could also pull a Geelong and hide some talent from the draft.

The AFL can't afford to prop up another team particular one that add's no commercial value tot he league or its sponsors.

Based on the changing viewing habits of the Under 40's there is a very strong chance the next TV rights deal will be less than the previous one so the AFL taking on a 3rd afl run/owed club would be financial suicide particularly if the Tassie Government has a chance of heart and doesn't want to stump up the cash any longer.

 

 

Add a third team in WA as well and it could work out.

Why don't we move down there and rebrand ourselves as the Van Demons?

1 hour ago, Dee Watcher said:

The AFL can't afford to prop up another team particular one that add's no commercial value tot he league or its sponsors.

Based on the changing viewing habits of the Under 40's there is a very strong chance the next TV rights deal will be less than the previous one so the AFL taking on a 3rd afl run/owed club would be financial suicide particularly if the Tassie Government has a chance of heart and doesn't want to stump up the cash any longer.

 

 

Forget about all the economics and set up a Tasmanian team now! Tasmania deserve it and if you don't want a team from Tassie, don't call yourself the "Australian " football league.

This is not a national competition now. Without a team from Tassie, it will never be.

 

1 hour ago, Dee Watcher said:

The AFL can't afford to prop up another team particular one that add's no commercial value tot he league or its sponsors.

Based on the changing viewing habits of the Under 40's there is a very strong chance the next TV rights deal will be less than the previous one so the AFL taking on a 3rd afl run/owed club would be financial suicide particularly if the Tassie Government has a chance of heart and doesn't want to stump up the cash any longer.

 

 

Who says they can't afford it? 

The AFL right now is one big get rich scheme for the executives of the league (and clubs) and for the players.

If everyone involved in the AFL industry took a 10% pay cut they'd all be perfectly fine.

The greatest threat to the game is over-commercialisation and not lack of funds. 

 That said, there's very little benefit to adding a 19th team that doesn't improve the leagues finances and 20 teams would spread the talent terribly thin, hence the best way to achieve a Tassie team is to build it from the ground up and demand inclusion on the back of people power.

Just can't see HQ actually ever giving it the go-ahead. Most of us here already support another team and would most likely not buy memberships for both.

I would go to a few Hobart games but would not go to Launceston - games there are always horrible. Not going to the Marsh game on March 6 as I have a Bucks in Hobart on the 7th.

6 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

A few semi random thoughts:

*  Perhaps Tassie should push for a AFLW team, build and establish a following from there.  Could take on it's own momentum and force the AFL's hand.  I don't think establishing a Tassie VFL side would be much use as it wouldn't attract anything like the same media attention and would be like conceding that a Tassie side would be perennially relegated to the minor league.

*  I don't think an AFL side would have any problems attracting and retaining tallent.

*  Taking the millions of dollars in sponsorship away from Hawthorn (and perhaps a few of their members/supporters too) would be almost as good as establishing a Tassie team in it's self.  This reason alone should be enough for at least 16 other clubs to support a Tassie team.

Logical and enticing.

2 hours ago, Youngwilliam said:

Lived in Hobart for a few years. The divide between Launceston and Hobart is the sole reason it won't work. Tassie population is around 300,000. 10% of the population will need to sign up. Could a stadium at Ross, halfway between both cities with an updated rail to the stadium work? 

Green Bay only have a population of 100,000 and they have a rather successful NFL team. 

Tassie could also pull a Geelong and hide some talent from the draft.

http://www.population.net.au/population-of-tasmania/  you must have lived here a couple of decades ago!

I know it goes against modern trends and the current AFL ethos, but I'd rather they subsidise a team in Tassie where people are footy mad (and deserve a team) than try to build a second team in states where no one gives a damn.

7 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

While I'm in full support of a Tasmanian side,

✔️

7 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Split between North and South?  As DeeSpencer has pointed out, spending big bucks on an oval that will be used only for 7-8 games ( if they are lucky) in Hobart means either the stadium won't be built or the games in Launceston won't happen. 

Launceston IMO is the wrong location, the past cheap-alternative, of one size fits all.  It doersn't work....  they do need two grounds imv,  one in either Burnie or Devonport.   I would go for Devonport,  so all can travel from across Tasmania, to get there.

Devonport & Hobart home grounds.

 

7 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Still with an election in the next couple of years, there is plenty of opportunity for pork barrelling ( again, and from either side). 

There is hope , and Tassy is a growing market,  with an influx of people moving there.