Ouch!

They aren't saying you are locked into finals after round 17 are they? I think the worse scenario that you point out here is the Saints, out of form would get belted for 5 weeks and then lucky to make the finals, but on the flip side, you could have a side like Carlton hypothetically sitting in 13th on percentage only. They get the next 5 games against teams such as West Coast, Nth and the like and make a big surge back into the finals. But it's potentially a false dawn cos they are playing against teams that have all but given up and probably playing for zilch. None of these models are a magic bullet. That said I don't have an issue with the wildcard round for finals. It gives 5th and 5th on the ladder a bit more of a benefit of a week off.

Bit odd calling it 17-6... 23 rounds in total, 17 part is fine, as you play each club once, at the beginning of the season. Then they split you into 3 groups of 6. That's 5 more games not 6. I get that there is the gather round apparently that accounts for the final missing game. But this model doesn't allow for that to work as well as having another opportunity for the derby/showdowns/q clashes that is used by teams for rivalry/gate receipts etc.. Basically you can't play that round early without compromising the 'integrity' that they are seeking in the 17 game component of the season. Yet you can't play it later without compromising the other 5 games (or account for the fact that gather round is best suited early in the season when everyone has optimism. Play it in between and it impacts the determination of the 3 groups therefore fails there too. Dunno if I'm over thinking it, but it doesn't work for me. ... and when/if we get to 19 teams, what then?

I know that Ryley Saunders is actually boarding in Melbourne this year, so whilst 'technically' from Tassie, he's been in Melb already this year. I thought McKercher was doing the same re school in Melb this year too, ... not 100% on that bit though. Interestingly Nth are trying to take Ryley Saunders off the board and attempting to claim him thru the NGA as he has indigenous heritage. But they haven't got him listed yet and are trying to get an exemption to get him. Even though they can't 'claim' him if he's top 20 or whatever it is under the current NGA rules, I think they are pushing for a concession given the fact that they are kinda hopeless.

You forgetting the medium tall we already have in Fritsch? Not just you btw, when a lot of 'experts' talk about our forward line, he never gets mentioned as part of the make up... of our forward line.

I reckon Salem would be pretty chuffed to be considered as 'a hard nut' 😁

So... the ferry service, is actually an extension, upgrade of what they are looking at putting in place as a public transport network around various locations on the Derwent River, it's aimed more as a rapid transit, given that light rail is all but dead as a concept in Hobart. https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/brown/media-release/smooth-sailing-derwent-ferries But it's not required, it's just going to be one of the options to access the stadium.

Have to say Harry McKay is one of the laziest forwards, just watch how far he trails behind people when the opposition has the ball, and even when the contest is near, he is a witches hat! Also Carlton are too scared to take a risk into the corridor, everything is out wide and down the wings, and Brisbane are just waiting, dumb football.

You know this is a rubbish game, cos even BT can’t get excited… how poor are the kicking skills of both these teams…

Agree that is what their thinking is, but I think they will need to be very prominent on the ground in each region of the state in terms of junior development programs and pathways. We need to build up the local pools of players and define those initial participation pathways, making it strong again before considering how a state league would look if it's still viable. The construction works on the midlands highway at the moment has also made it a 3+ hour journey which also wouldn't help. The company I work for has essentially said if we have to travel intrastate, that we essentially need to factor in an overnight stay, this is purely due to safety concerns in relation to a 6+ hour return journey.

Dangerfield almost said as much yesterday when talking with Whately, basically said the Tas team should have access to any player from any club, no compensation, and if the clubs are worried about losing players, then it's perhaps more reflective of the club, it's culture and focus on that. Didn't expect that from the AFLPA pres.

So, some further news, is that apparently AFL Tasmania is set to announce that they are not going to continue the TSL (State league for Tasmania) beyond 2024. Not sure what to think about this... on one hand it shows how bad things have gotten in Tasmania's local football scene, and I wonder if this is an attempt to reset things for a while, build up local club representation for the Nth, NW and South. On the other hand, this is NOT likely to be well received for clubs in the Nth. Nth Launceston is one of the strongest clubs in the state, and would rightly have concerns that a move back to regional competitions would see players either move to the mainland or Hobart, which will be base of operations for the VFL, and any CoE. Our state league has not a club from the NW for quite a while, and I think there are only two teams in the Nth of the state...The teams in the south have also been struggling where clubs like Glenorchy has struggled for a couple of years with playing numbers, and I don't think has the numbers for a reserves team in the current season... There is no doubt, that getting players back is crucial for the success of the AFL team, and needs to be the number 1 priority that starts now..

Hehe, now I have the Loonie toons theme in my head... perhaps just need to work out the words and another thing to tick off! :D

I kinda agree that the Devils appears to be the best fit at this stage, appreciate that the AFL is going to open it up for public opinion, similar to what happened for the Tassie Jackjumpers. I will say, I don't want to have a green vest with a yellow map of Tassie and a red/burgundy "T" on it. In terms of colors it probably makes sense to lean into the colour Green from a class perspective, however. I kinda think the Warner bros angle should be approached in a different way, rather than fight them on commercial rights, push to secure a sponsorship/partnership deal with Warner Bros. Their claim is a legacy claim that was a character created back in the 1950s.... he's not exactly relevant in todays' market, perhaps it could be a positive for both parties, at least for mascot.

Matty Wade seems open to showing people the sights :D If you ever get a chance to come down when Dark Mofo is on, it's a unique experience!

Haha, that was a crazy night, so the fact that I can remember it suggests that it wasn't 'typical' footy night. It does get cold,... that said I don't think we have anything on Canberra... ;) and I don't think we've had snow in a game before. do also recall a game between Nth and I think WCE at Blundstone where it was the first time I've see a player try to kick it for (admittedly it went very high) and the ball landed behind him due to the wind pushing it behind him....

I chatted to a work mate who is involved with the Nth Hobart footy club juniors, since the announcement was made, they are already fielding enquiries from people wanting to participate in Auskick, u8s and up. Some junior clubs, even thought they are 4-5 weeks into the season are discussing how best to manage the increased interest because they might have enough players to start fielding additional teams into competitions.

Huh what points? Media rights? That wasn't even a point, barely a sentence.... and eyeballs? 560k Tassie people, thats at least 2 million eyeballs we have (and Tasmanians can make that joke!) Go home factor? seriously thats been something happening for years, it's not new, but more importantly it isn't valid in that he states Qld and WA players want to go home, hmm, so do Vic players and SA players. But apparently this is somehow more valid because of Tassie and his dislike of the state. The issue is more the tone of 'Imagine 20 year olds sent to Tassie wanting to stay past 2 years' Tasmania is no longer a convict settlement... that view is rude and pathetic and as I called out wrong. Today is a hugely significant day for the AFL, for Tasmania, the people, the former players and it's just tiring listening to someone constantly troll and slag off Tasmania or the team that is coming.

Old Dee, you are exceptionally negative... and wrong. I was going to attempt to dispute or sway your perspective, but I've come to realise there is no point,. you appear to love wallowing in negative & pessimistic thoughts. Hope the significance of today, and the joy of the AFL community doesn't disrupt your day too much.

Hi Jaded, Really good question, and something that I have been thinking about over the last couple of weeks. Would be interested to hear @Clintosaurus thoughts too. I will buy a Tassie membership yes. Would my allegiance swap, I don't really know, but overtime, I suspect that it would probably. That said, knowing that we had so many Tassie players (or tassie born players) being stars for the Demons over my years, it's pretty incredible to think that Lyon and Neitz were both Tassie born, we had the Febey twins, Andy Lovell, Russell Robertson, Ben Beams, Brad Green, Jeremy Howe, Garland, Lamprill. But there were players before that like Ray Groom, Stuart Spencer, Ivor Warne-Smith, MaX Walker, Bob Johnson... Our club has had a strong linkage with Tassie players, as has St Kilda, Richmond and many of the Melbourne Clubs in truth. Riewoldt x 2, Peter & Paul Hudson, Alistair Lynch, Richo, ... Anyway, I don't think I'd lose the fondness for Melbourne, but I think I would grow a strong attachment to the new team (plus working a 5 minute walk from Macquarie Point) is certainly appealing.

Don't think there is a carrot really. It's more that the AFL is not prepared to remove any existing teams to better spread things out are they?

Really I think the main issue with the NT is that their domestic season is not in sync with the AFL, they play through largely our 'summer' don't they?

This is not a valid argument for 19 nor 20 teams. When we were an 18 team comp there were 18 million people in Aus. There are now 26 million people... we are looking for 70-80 players.

Well this took a strange turn. Alan Joyce out, new CEO in. Any other boards that Goyder is chair of that we should expect a new CEO to pop up tomorrow with? The words Richard Goyder used are pretty similar, i.e we conducted an extensive search, we believe we have the best candidate etc etc, which i am sure they believe....

Almost 100% certain that when the team is ratified by the commission that Peter Gutwein will be odds on favourite to be the sides' first Chairman, and Gale will be courted heavily for the CEO role. Given where the Tigers are (downwards trajectory) and Gale not getting the AFL role, it is almost convenient ;).

Razor just warming up to the spotlight that he craves… Will be hoping to chat to Whately this week about how well he umpired, and whether his mic was loud enough.