Ouch!

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.

I don't necessarily disagree or agree on the location, but lets face it, The Stadium could not have been built ANYWHERE in Hobart with the argument on the funding coming into play, or people claiming that the funding should be used elsewhere. I also don't disagree that 18 teams, or more specifically even numbers of teams is a better fit, but the AFL will now accelerate the 20th team coming in. with 2 extra teams, I can see the season being pared back to a 19 game season, or division/conferences. However, and I think you agree, that argument is should not be put at the feet of the Tasmanian team. Agree that the talent isn't the concern either! 👍

Would have been a great idea.... except the again, we have a few NIMBYs in Tas, and they blocked the cable car prosposal,... apparently the view of the mountain wasn't allowed to have a cable car.

Agreed, it's similar the other week where Gawny stayed back 90 minutes or longer after a clinic to ensure that every single kid that wanted a signature was able to get one, the impression that leaves on the kids, but the rest of the family is immeasurable.

Except the Fed govt has a public housing program that it is already working on. The other options for stadiums is what exactly? Bellerive? Has no parking options anywhere near, and it's a suburban ground, and is in a suburb that has a disproportionate number of NIMBYs. Where else? UTAS Stadium? please if we put an AFL team outside of the capital it will never work. Nth Hobart? Lauderdale? Glenorchy? where are you talking about other options??, but regardless the pricing is what the pricing is to build a stadium. How much is the MCC going to spend on the new development for the MCG? is that needed? how much will that cost? https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2022-mcg-redevelopment-plans-photos-capacity-barbecues-hotel-renders-when-will-it-happen/news-story/091187d45cef48168dc87dac718ac5e6 I mean seriously $1billion to get the capacity up by 6-8k... and for what? rooftop lighting and BBQs? How much social housing could the Andrew's Govt achieve with that? No one seemingly complains about the costs of this type of thing in Melbourne. The AFL Grassroots funding is coming as a part of this whole arrangement, but if the pinnacle is for our players to just be picked up and play on the mainland... it's not going to work, because it has not worked ever! Look at the Jack Jumpers, it took that team to be here, part of Hobart, part of Tasmania for the growth to occur. 46% growth in club teams and growth in 2 seasons.... That wasn't happening until the team arrived. This stadium has govt, corporate, and AFL funding. ALL major works such as this has that type of arrangement, so yeah it does kinda sound familiar cos thats how things work in the real world, rather than in an 'ideal world'.

Umm, yes absolutely. The AFL, Tas Gov and the people behind the business case have been lobbying for years for this. The AFL would be backing the yes campaign regardless, as are most sports codes. The Lib party in Tas is more centre than right wing and always has been.... every other state is backing it too (albeit they are labor) You make it sound like the Tas Govt and the AFL are the only ones backing that campaign... Politics is unavoidable in decisions like this. The MFC are, and will continue to be furiously campaigning for funding for it's new base with the Vic Govt and possibly the feds as well, should they stop?

Actually I think Hobart (or greater Hobart) is basically identical, But the team in Geelong has had a little more of a headstart with people following them than the tassie team ;) More importantly, it's about perception with TV broadcasts too.... if the stadium is constantly 80% full, the ambience, the sound, the visual appeal is so much greater than a big stadium with huge gaps. We all saw that in COVID and it was horrible.

I'm not sure re Marvel, but I think that is what the A League were indicating, it's actually trying to get the people closer to the game. I think the biggest concern with A League and afl there is the overlap on attempting to schedule fixturing across codes.

No, the existing stadiums are not up to it. Bellerive's in the suburbs, has covenants that prevent it being used as much as it would need to be, and this team cannot be based in Launceston. They do need a stadium, there are a bunch of people that don't want it built where it is currently, but I'm sorry you won't build too much 'affordable' housing on the waterfront. It's not going to be affordable for long. Other people saying that we should be investing in other things such as housing, health etc. I appreciate that concern too, however it's not like the money from the Feds (240 mil) or the money that the AFL will invest over the next 10 years will get allocated to this.