No AFL team for Tasmania, league boss Gillon McLachlan announces

[Miguel Sanchez]

Why did the previous Tasmanian VFL side fold, and what steps are being taken to ensure that history doesn't repeat?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The VFL team is a reasonable result. Despite all the gnashing of teeth, Tasmania is a small market and as such it needs to have wild parochial support to show that it can flourish despite the small market.

The VFL team isn't ideal but it at least gives Tassie something to unite behind to show they can support a team at the highest level. Stop attending Hawthorn games and pack out the stadium for every Tassie VFL game. Show that a Tasmanian team will be well followed, even at VFL level. Develop facilities in conjunction with the government and get a reasonable sized boutique stadium. Make that Tasmanian team the most widely followed state league team in the country and then you'll turn heads.

This is the sort of campaign I think the government and fans need to launch.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

So.. what happens if the plans of an AFL reserves league goes ahead? What happens to the Tassie team then?

This all seems a little ill thought out just something to make it look like the AFL have done something when really they’ve done nothing to help Tasmanian football. Having a Tassie team in a glorified Victorian reserves league isn’t the answer, nobody gives a s**t about the VFL anymore.

There are no plans for an AFL reserves league.

 

[RunningBounce]

I'm not from Tassie, so please Taswegians, jump in and correct me if I'm just another mainlander telling you what you need.

I don't think the pressing priority for Tassie footy is an AFL side. Seems to me that the pressing issue is resources to keep the state league and community competitions healthy until they turn the ship around.

But there's just more top-down thinking from AFL House. They just don't get it. Why couldn't they contribute more for state league and community comps to spend on what they think are priorities? You know. Treat them like adults.

 

[The_Reaper]

Good. Don't need another financial basketcase with the begging bowl out.

 

[El_Scorcho]

This is the sort of campaign I think the government and fans need to launch.

Agree, and it's the only pathway I can see to getting a Tasmanian team into the AFL.

They need to abandon the Hawks immediately and put all that money into the VFL side. Make it an absolute powerhouse, make it Tasmania's team.

 

[irish]

what happens when gold coast collapse?

 

[FootyJunkie]

Why did the previous Tasmanian VFL side fold, and what steps are being taken to ensure that history doesn't repeat?

the original VFL Tassie Devils side actually got a pretty decent following locally and could have evolved into something bigger.... then they got forced to align with North Melbourne and it was no longer a stand alone side... interest fell knowing that Tassie was just another feeder club for an AFL side and on field form and crowds dropped.... bloody shame that

 

[75Cardies]

2021...interesting

2021 is when current Tasmania deals with Hawthorn and North Melbourne expire... coincidence?

Looking at current deals very broadly..**

Hawthorn 2017 Operating Profit is $2.17M. Tasmania Deal is $19mill over 5 years which is $3.8M per year

North 2017 Operating Profit $633k (Pre Depreciation). Tasmania Deal was $600k per season.

** i sourced numbers from net. if incorrect i stand corrected.

Why create a team in Tasmania when Tasmania effectively covers over the financial cracks of having too many Victorian clubs. They already have 2 burning AFL holes (amongst many other holes raging with fire) .

Of course the counter is Hawthorn and North say they reinvest in Tasmania football activities that counter this however the value to branding is immeasurable on this.

Above this is the local injection of interstate traveller funds into the economy, however as calibre of teams playing there diminish, so will crowds and genuine interest from interstate teams. One could argue bi weekly games would produce bigger travelling contingent as they would attract bigger teams like Collingwood and Richmond etc.

A team in Tasmania doesn't solve the Gold Coast or GWS problem it creates at least 2 more funding AFL problems.

Until Tassie pull the rug on AFL subsidy, things will never change...

Of course AFL will hold them ransom in funding for TAS football funding and support at local level and so the circle begins again.

 

[Starburns_]

Is this news? Not sure "AFL doesn't change mind" is really much of a shock announcement.

 

[Roylion]

But we're happy to give a transient destination like the Gold Coast a team who has failed to support a local team from any other sporting code in the past? Makes sense...

The permanent resident population of Gold Coast City in 2017 was 592,330 (a rise of 15,412 or 2.67%) from 2016. (Source: ABS) and has been on the rise since 2014.

Tasmania's population in 2017 was 519,166 (a rise of 666 or 0.13%) from 2016 and has grown by just over 9,100 people since 2011.

 

[Pykie]

Great news about the Tasmanian TAC Cup team, should never have been dissolved in the early 00's.


They played in the comp from 1995-2002, then reverted to a VFL side instead. They had some good AFL players during those times.

They will get the best of both worlds.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

the original VFL Tassie Devils side actually got a pretty decent following locally and could have evolved into something bigger.... then they got forced to align with North Melbourne and it was no longer a stand alone side... interest fell knowing that Tassie was just another feeder club for an AFL side and interest and crowds dropped....

Fair enough, well that's unlikely to be repeated then with very few alignments left in the VFL anyway.

 

[kranky al]

The afl wants to buy the eagles and dockers and take control of wa footy - they just cant understand why we wont bend on this.

:rollseyes.gif:

 

[Damon_3388]

But we're happy to give a transient destination like the Gold Coast a team who has failed to support a local team from any other sporting code in the past? Makes sense...

The Gold Coast area has a larger population (592,330 by 2017) than the whole state of Tasmania (519,166 by 2017), is growing steadily each year (around 2-3% growth each year over the past decade), is a more attractive winter tourist destination, and is in a strategic area for the growth of the game. It's pretty easy to see the logic behind putting a team there ahead of Tasmania, and backing that you have the right infrastructure and financing in place for it to succeed better than other teams in other sporting codes have.

 

[DazzaTys]

Case to argue that they need to sort out their state comp before the AFL invests money and a team. But then that argument is completely thrown out the window with the Suns and GWS. I’m half Tasmanian and would love to see a team. Can’t say I’d enjoy the experience of a winter Friday night at Bellrive though.

 

[Starburns_]

The Gold Coast area has a larger population (592,330 by 2017) than the whole state of Tasmania (519,166 by 2017), is growing steadily each year (around 2-3% growth each year over the past decade), is a more attractive winter tourist destination, and is in a strategic area for the growth of the game. It's pretty easy to see the logic behind putting a team there ahead of Tasmania, and backing that you have the right infrastructure and financing in place for it to succeed better than other teams in other sporting codes have.

Not just that, attendances this year:

Suns on GC:
- 17,490
- 13,637
- 10,181

North in Hobart:
- 14,266
- 7194

Hawks in Launceston:
- 15,741
- 13,007
- 9007

I know that neither of those are a 'true' Tassie team, but the numbers aren't good reading when comparing an attentive market to a growth one.

In reality, the Suns actually aren't doing that poorly for engagement, their biggest issue is they can't get out of the bottom 6 and draw in the 'casual' fans.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Tasmania doesn't have a team for basically the same reasons Ballarat and Bendigo don't have one.

 

[Better Loosen Up]

The Gold Coast area has a larger population (592,330 by 2017) than the whole state of Tasmania (519,166 by 2017), is growing steadily each year (around 2-3% growth each year over the past decade), is a more attractive winter tourist destination, and is in a strategic area for the growth of the game. It's pretty easy to see the logic behind putting a team there ahead of Tasmania, and backing that you have the right infrastructure and financing in place for it to succeed better than other teams in other sporting codes have.

How long do these "permanent residents" live on the Gold Coast for on average before re-locating? Permanent Resident statistics are a bit of a trap.

 

[Forward Press]

People need to let to go of the 'team in every state' romanticism and accept the reality.

Tasmania is a small state with less people than the Gold Coast and growing at a snail's pace. Not to mention that, unlike other states, the majority of the state's population live outside the capital city as well which means that selecting Hobart as the home means shutting out people from Launceston. And Hobart is tiny.

Gold Coast and western Sydney were always the most logical places for expansion. Even a third WA team has far more merit than Tasmania.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Another thing... theoretically, where would be the next destination for an AFL club be (other than Tassie)?

Because Tasmania needs to join forces strategically with another location and drive for the introduction of teams 19 and 20.

This is where they can get some traction financially, as it brings the focus toward a tenth weekly game... and the AFL love any thought of additional broadcasting content and thus revenue.

Simply angling for a 19th club doesn't add an extra game and isn't very compelling in terms of cold calculations. If it becomes part of something bigger then it starts to add up and the "feel good" factor - which is high for a Tassie team - becomes a real bonus.

Yes, it's a 20 year project, but it's not gonna happen before then anyway.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

People need to let to go of the 'team in every state' romanticism and accept the reality.

Tasmania is a small state with less people than the Gold Coast and growing at a snail's pace. Not to mention that, unlike other states, the majority of the state's population live outside the capital city as well which means that selecting Hobart as the home means shutting out people from Launceston. And Hobart is tiny.

Gold Coast and western Sydney were always the most logical places for expansion. Even a third WA team has far more merit than Tasmania.

It would be a statewide team. Both Hobart and Launceston have AFL-ready venues. Home games can be split, North and Hawthorn already do it between Melbourne and Tassie.

If the third WA club is the next most attractive, the Tas and WA govts should join forces and properly fund studies so they can put something serious on the table for clubs 19 and 20.

 

[Forward Press]

It would be a statewide team. Both Hobart and Launceston have AFL-ready venues. Home games can be split, North and Hawthorn already do it between Melbourne and Tassie.

If the third WA club is the next most attractive, the Tas and WA govts should join forces and properly fund studies so they can put something serious on the table for clubs 19 and 20.

Fair enough but there would be plenty of arguments about the potential split of home games between Hobart and Launceston.

I agree in that they really need to get behind the VFL team to demonstrate their passion (and therefore money) to AFL, and that it would be more likely if team 20 came in as well to guarantee a 10th weekly game. There have been discussion about a 3rd WA team but nothing concrete yet.

 

[Roylion]

The Gold Coast area has a larger population (592,330 by 2017) than the whole state of Tasmania (519,166 by 2017), is growing steadily each year (around 2-3% growth each year over the past decade), is a more attractive winter tourist destination, and is in a strategic area for the growth of the game. It's pretty easy to see the logic behind putting a team there ahead of Tasmania, and backing that you have the right infrastructure and financing in place for it to succeed better than other teams in other sporting codes have.

And for those reasons, the Suns won't be going anywhere - either to Tasmania, a merge with Brisbane or out of the competition.

Tasmanian sides entering the VFL in 2021 and the TAC competition next year is the right way to go for the moment.

 

[gandaal]

Gill: Hey Stokesy, if we have a Tasmanian side will you pay more for the rights?

Kerry Stokes: Where?

Gill: Tasmania. You know Tasmania. That island south of Melbourne with the same population as Narre Warren. The state the government pumps money into each year just to keep it afloat despite the fact that nobody lives there.

Kerry: We'll pay less.

That's the reality guys, and I love Tassie.