1 hour ago, daisycutter said:

all very well and good...........but none of those other codes are a patch on aussie rules as a game and spectacle

That is very much an eye of the beholder statement and whilst I personally agree with you, it would be dangerous for the AFL to hold a similar view and become stagnant.

why do you think there is so much done to stamp out congestion or concussion or umpiring these are all very real issues.

If the AFL withhold any license for a Tassie team, then you’d expect a big drop in attendance and viewership in that state. Whilst they are not a huge population, it would be enough to put a dent into the AFL revenue streams. 

5 hours ago, CYB said:

No doubt this will be a largely an unpopular view, but in the interest of further nationalising the AFL, something has to give out of the Victorian heartland. We just have to many Victorian based clubs in the AFL. 

In the next 1-2 decades I would love to see a comp that fielded 3 teams in WA & SA ; 2 from QLD and NSW; 1 in Tassie; 1 in NT; 1 in ACT and the rest (5) in VIC. I am not delusional on the likelihood of this happening as it will require the relocation of several Victorian AFL licenses. Sadly this would mean Norf, WB, Saints & MFC at this stage would be the ones that would be most at risk (based on membership numbers alone) to relocate - that is just my opinion. 

I wouldn't mess with the number of team (18) in the comp, i think this is somewhat set in stone. The Suns issue can be resolved once they break the stalemate of success. All it will take is a few finals appearances and success - GWS has amassed 30K members and a lot of that is recently due to the GF appearance. Dont forget that the GC is the fastest growing city in Australia, so there is definitely no limit on commercial benefits available, which is why the AFL targeted the GC in the first place.  

I hope the first step is giving Tassie a team. I think Norf are in the driver's seat here. One poster suggested a fixturing option which would see a portion of away games based in Melbourne, that would give something to the local members - but no doubt the relocation will drive most of their supports away from AFL all together - albeit it will only be a temporary. 

It's weird how people say Victoria has too many teams. Victoria has had this many teams, or more, for over a century.

If there’s someone from Tassie to tell me otherwise the recent crowds were unimpeded by COVID restrictions, that being the case they voted with their feet. I get it, Hawks and North are doing poorly right now but if they genuinely wanted a team they should be turning out in their droves. 

The crowds have been very average for most years they’ve had games there, if it had been up to me they would’ve got their crack instead of GWS or GC but really they aren’t showing enough of a reason to grant them a license. 

I think that that a tassie team would need to grow out of Tassie. I'm sure that there was a Tassie Mariners at one stage. Maybe TAC cup? These guys would then grow into the state team. Of course they would need to play in the VFL,/SANFL and would then push for an AFL licence. GC had all the picks and already had a base that supports other AFL clubs.

Tassie are AFL to the core. I'm not sure it would be every boys dream to play for a Tasmanian team, but then again the GWS and GC players didn't get a choice. Perhaps the lifestyle factor/family may be an advantage for a Tassie team?

1 hour ago, Pates said:

If there’s someone from Tassie to tell me otherwise the recent crowds were unimpeded by COVID restrictions, that being the case they voted with their feet. I get it, Hawks and North are doing poorly right now but if they genuinely wanted a team they should be turning out in their droves. 

The crowds have been very average for most years they’ve had games there, if it had been up to me they would’ve got their crack instead of GWS or GC but really they aren’t showing enough of a reason to grant them a license. 

And the crowds have been good at Giants and Suns games?. Most people that turn up at their games are interstate supporters of the opposition team. 

18 teams is enough. Send the Suns to Tassie and if finances is an issue get the Tassie govt to tip in large.

The only way I see it working is if North move there.

A Tasmanian team will encounter similar issues to the Brisbane Bears (until they became the Lions) in that they had no support in Melbourne when they came down south to play home games.

North moving to Hobart gives them a plug in support base on top of the potential one they are nurturing in Hobart. 

That said, I appreciate Nasher’s take. Tassie has been an AFL state for years, and the loyalties of the locals are rusted on. It’s not like SA or WA with the level of parochialism either.

10 hours ago, Docs Demons said:

And the crowds have been good at Giants and Suns games?. Most people that turn up at their games are interstate supporters of the opposition team. 

My point is that they are “demanding” a license, but the people aren’t turning out. I would’ve thought if they were trying to put their best case forward the leaders pushing this would be telling the people to prove it’s something they really want.

There’s at least growth logic towards having teams in GWS and GC. There is no growth in Tasmania aside from if NT get a license as well there is an extra game. 

Flick the Kangaroos down to Tassie (as we did with the Swans and Lions)! Stay at eighteen teams. Maybe send the Saints or Hawks to the NT? 😉