Our crowds are dwindling because we continue to get the same old bottom of the table crap sides in Launceston, but we continue to still get better crowds than North down here.
I suspect, and I have no evidence other than less traffic on the road to and from games, that Hobart based supporters no longer want to drive up and back (6 hours minimum in the car) to watch the same bottom teams each year. I know, I know, we are also going to watch the mighty Hawks, but playing some teams that are half decent would give us all some extra incentive.
Hobart also has the majority of Tasmania's population so that puts North in an advantage position to start, as less people need to travel to Hobart.
On the North crowds, not sure you are correct here.
29 July 18 - North v West Coast (eventual Premiers) - Crowd 11,176
19 May 18 - North v GWS Giants (2018 Finalists) - Crowd 7,194 (Down 1,500 on previous year)
14 April 18 - North v Carlton (Big following down here) - Crowd 14,266
Total - 32,636
29 July 17 - North v Melbourne - Crowd 13,939
6 May 17 - North v Adelaide (GF participant) - Crowd 10,064
8 April 17 - North v GWS Giants - Crowd 8,758
Total - 32,761
North have also had Richmond twice (2015/16) who probably have one of the biggest followings down here with Crowds of 17,544 (Record AFL attendance at the venue) and 17,844.
In 2017, Hawks had;
A struggling St Kilda and attracted 15,571 on April 29.
A struggling Brisbane 10,553
GWS Giants - 12,156 (Could have been a few more as we were in Fiji!) Comfortably more than North attracted to this same game.
North Melbourne - 14,509
It will be interesting to see how many we get to the Carlton game next year. I suspect, like the North V Carlton game, Hawks supporters will be out-numbered by Blues fans!
You may not have intended to say it, but non Victorian teams are not necessarily ‘bottom of the table crap teams’. You highlighted eagles crows and giants.
Maybe the novelty has worn off. Would you say victorians travel less to tassie when Hawthorn games are on?