News NMFC & Tassie (the mass debate re our future there, the academy, attending advice)

[Zondor]

Here is the thing.

The AFL is no longer a suburban competition (thats why they changed the name to AFL from VFL).

Like it or not that means its a national competition.

Which means clubs need to engage with the rest of the country. Not be provincial little entities that only cater to their immediate back yard. Once upon a time parts of Melbourne and Victoria were zoned to those clubs cos they only existed in Victoria, mostly they only recruited in Victoria and Southern NSW and apart from Tassie didn't have supporters in other states as a rule. That was changing by the time we won our first flag. That change that led to the state of affairs today helped win our first flag. We had players from Tassie and WA in those 70s sides. These days clubs draft kids from across the country.

They don't have the traditional love for North Melbourne, based on Saturdays at Arden St in cold shitty weather watching the team struggle, fail and triumph that you do. We want kids all over the country to choose the club but to help that happen we need to target areas of the country where we can make them identify with us and want us to succeed. North Melbourne doesn't have the population base to do that any more. We also don't have the zoning base to generate local players like the Denches, Greigs, Germans and Schimmas of days gone by.

That's why we engage with Tassie and far Western Melbourne. Its not just about the money. Its about targeting territory and establishing a presence there to spread the glory of North Melbourne the way past legendary past leaders like Alexander the Great did. Its about building an empire with its base at Hardon St. Not hiding there while the world grows into something else around us.

You know we can engage in communities interstate yet not play Home Games there? :stern look

 

[Royal Flush]

Tasmanian types need to keep in mind that North and Hawthorn only make money out of Tasmania because the Tasmanian state govt believes that it benefits dollar for dollar on tourists coming from Melbourne to support North or Hawthorn. That barely works for 3 or 4 games for each club. Any more games than that doesn't create more tourism dollars spent, it just spreads the same amount over more weekends while driving up costs.

Further to that, if either Melbourne based team was to play 7 or 8 home games in Tasmania, it would be disastrous for everyone. Melbourne supporters would drop off dramatically resulting in poor crowd figures and membership revenue in Melbourne. And even those that do stick around and who budget for maybe one or two interstate footy trips a year are never going to travel to Tasmania for 7 or 8 each season. The Tas govt would very quickly realise what a mistake it had made in backing the venture. It's not like the Tas govt is rolling in money. If they spend millions on this turkey of an idea, the opposition would be all over them waving negative economic benefit evaluations.

And forget relocation. The instant that you turn one of these teams into a Tasmanian team, the tourism stops and inevitably so do the dollars from the govt. An AFL team in Tasmania then needs to cover its costs from corporate sponsorship sourced locally, and Tasmanians actually turning up to watch the games every other week. Such a club wouldn't last 2 years.

Tourism won't drop because you'll have 11 home games with 11 lots of visitors.
Throw in hosting 15 vic clubs over a rolling 2 year schedule.


Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[RobZombie]

Based on the interviews and comments from the club I'd almost guarantee we're playing 4 games in Hobart next year

Nah. Existing contract is still in place.

 

[ferball]

You know we can engage in communities interstate yet not play Home Games there? :stern look

True but that might not have netted us Tarryn Thomas.

 

[Zondor]

True but that might not have netted us Tarryn Thomas.

And? It still doesn't make "Selling Home Games" in another Market right. :stern look

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Based on the interviews and comments from the club I'd almost guarantee we're playing 4 games in Hobart next year

Well seeing our deal to play 3 runs til 2021... I'd vote no.

 

[FlyHigh18]

Well seeing our deal to play 3 runs til 2021... I'd vote no.

I recommend listening to Dilena on Macquarie radio (on the podcast). It's not very comforting

 

[King Corey]

I recommend listening to Dilena on Macquarie radio (on the podcast). It's not very comforting

I get where you're coming from and am definitely in the 'stay vigilant' camp on this one too.

However I thought (and partly hope) it was just Carl being polite as the question was posed from a Tasmania-centric position.

 

[Le Grille]

I get where you're coming from and am definitely in the 'stay vigilant' camp on this one too.

However I thought (and partly hope) it was just Carl being polite as the question was posed from a Tasmania-centric position.

Yep the rumblings are starting that we come in, take the cash and leave, to make this a viable proposition we do need to ensure that we make every effort to ensure the tasmanian footy public that we its a mutual partnership not just a cash grab

 

[King Corey]

Yep the rumblings are starting that we come in, take the cash and leave, to make this a viable proposition we do need to ensure that we make every effort to ensure the tasmanian footy public that we its a mutual partnership not just a cash grab

Are hawthorn under a similar amount of public dissent for their cash grab?

 

[Le Grille]

Are hawthorn under a similar amount of public dissent for their cash grab?

I dunno, not sure Launny cares that much

 

[giantroo]

 

[BoomerRoo]

June 26 2018 - 5:55PM
Desire for a Tasmanian team can’t be linked to poor crowds

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  Alex Fair

Local Sport

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PLENTY OF EMPTY SEATS: An example of the record low in crowd in Launceston for Hawthorn versus Gold Coast on Saturday. Picture: Rob Shaw


You could see it coming a mile off.

As soon as the images started to surface on social media, the fears that a record a low crowd for an AFL game in the North in the state were confirmed.

And it was on that same vehicle that the criticism started to come upon the release of the official crowd of 9007 for Gold Coast’s visit to Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on Saturday, the first time crowds had dipped below the magical 10,000 figure.

James Frawley and Tom Lynch compete in Launceston on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

As was the case when just 7194 showed up in Hobart witness North Melbourne defeat Greater Western Sydney, there seems to those situated on the mainland who make a correlation between these low figures and this state’s right to have its own side in the national competition.

This is not a once-off even though, and this time around it was Channel 7 football reporter Tom Browne’s turn, who said on Twitter: “I really love Tasmania, and appreciate its very rich contribution to the history and fabric of footy, but again in context of calls for a dedicated team - there’d be almost more people watching the Sorrento sharks this afternoon.”

Now I will be the first to admit that I wouldn’t know a Sorrento shark if it swam past me, but by inferring that our quest to be part of the national competition be seriously impacted by these figures is really short-sighted.

But don’t take my word for it, check in with the likes of Jack Riewoldt and Matthew Richardson, individuals who have far, far higher football credentials than me, whose reactions via Twitter indicate they believe the same.

To say Gold Coast lacks a strong supporter base in Tasmania would be the understatement of the century.

Throw in recent poor on-field performances, and the fact unlike previous years there’s not a bloke called Gary Ablett running around for them, and you don’t exactly have something that is appealing for the neutral supporter.

Since 2012, when the amount of AFL content in this state rose when the Kangaroos started playing in Hobart, the numbers in Launceston have started to drop.

Ben Stratton takes a strong mark in Launceston on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

In recent times it has taken an opponent which has some appeal, or hadn’t visited for a while or at all, or a game which actually means something to draw a big crowd.

Carlton (18,112) and St Kilda (17,052) in 2016 are good example of the former, while Fremantle (16,792) in 2016 in what was a top-four clash exemplify the latter. The Suns have played here five times since 2011.

Also, Hawthorn is not the powerhouse it once was, so you can understand why some that interest has dropped off.

The expectation that Tasmanians will just pack out stadiums because just because the AFL comes to town is really short-sighted.

Any novelty aspect of games being played at either end of the state is long gone, and, unlike other marketplaces, we know and understand the game. We already love the game.

We all have our own teams, and for some of us that actually means a natural hatred for Hawthorn or North Melbourne, so you need to provide a much more enticing game for the neutral. How things would have been different on Saturday if it was a Collingwood, Carlton or Essendon.

If, hypothetically, it was Tasmanian team hosting Gold Coast, you couldn’t see those numbers improving dramatically, but they would increase against the “big boys”.

The game against the Suns was never going to be a good game. That promise was delivered in spades, which strengthens the argument why the football public were not excited about this contest.

There is also the timeslot. Any game starting at 1.45pm or 2.10pm on a Saturday means a clash with local football, meaning those that play who are involved with clubs can’t attend.

Historically, the 1.10pm timeslot on a Sunday has served Launceston well. Not only does this take away this clash (although there is still junior and women’s football on at that time), it also more appealing for those from other parts of the state.

Heading back to the North-West or Hobart at around 4pm is much more enjoyable task than an hour later in the depths of winter. The Sunday timeslot is one that has disappeared for the Hawks, with none of this year’s fixtures on a Sunday and the last one in 2016.

The AFL isn’t exactly doing itself any favours when it comes to these fixtures, and if they are going to be against a side lacking popularity, a friendler time slot would help.

But maybe they don’t want “big” crowds in Launceston, and risk the momentum for Tasmanian team growing even further.

A “protest vote” as such against the AFL is a very real possibility from the people of Tasmania. The league has not exactly won any popularity contests in the state lately due to its perceived lack of attention towards one of its heartland areas, a rating that could potentially drop lower depending what Gillon McLachlan’s steering committee delivers this week.

So why should we pack out grounds, supporting teams that aren’t our own with this perceived neglect from those in charge?

There’s also the fact the game isn’t the most attractive prospect overall right now, no matter who is playing and where. Give people a better product and they will come.

The thought process that Tasmania is undeserving of its own team due to a poor turnouts at “nothing games” just lacks logic. Considering the contribution we have made to the game, we really do deserve better.

On all fronts.

 

[giantroo]

Robust talks with AFL steering committee lock in tier one state league comp for Tasmania
BRETT STUBBS, Mercury
34 minutes ago
Subscriber only

THE TSL clubs and the AFL’s steering committee have reached an agreement that locks in the state league as a tier one competition.

And there will also even more expansion of the talent pathway.

The talent pathway will not only involve Tasmania’s under-18 boys joining the TAC Cup for the first half of the season, but also Tasmania’s best under-18 girls.

Club representatives will face the media this morning to announce the details, while AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan will be in Hobart tomorrow to announce the full findings from the steering committee.


The steering committee’s contentious clause around one club failing to meet a key performance indicator would see all seven fail has been removed, while the funding will be raised from $88,000 12 months ago to about $110,000 but will see the clubs paying for their own transport costs.

Clubs failing to reach agreed KPIs will have their funding reduced, and only have their license cancelled as a very last resort.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman is believed to have played a big role in breaking the stalemate after a “robust” discussion with Mr McLachlan yesterday morning.

It is also believed the talent pathway will be expand to see the state’s best under-18 players play the first six games of the TAC Cup season before representing Tasmania in the academy series and — if selected — the Allies in the under-18 national championships.

Those not selected for the Allies, and after the national championships conclusion, will return to their TSL clubs.

Community football also has not been forgotten.

The AFL will also fund a full-time employee in each region to help administer the SFL, the NTFA and the NWFL.

Clubs presidents have fought hard to save the competition, as it appeared to be dead just eight weeks ago.

https://www.themercury.com.au/sport...a/news-story/69c434403731439311c024692dfa9791

 

[Colbys Boots]

Yep the rumblings are starting that we come in, take the cash and leave, to make this a viable proposition we do need to ensure that we make every effort to ensure the tasmanian footy public that we its a mutual partnership not just a cash grab

Tasmanians should kiss our arse for what we give them. They deserve nothing better given their inability to operate a decent state league or show up to AFL games in sufficient numbers to warrant having their own team.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Get an under 18's team up & running and play them as a curtain raiser for the AFL games.

2-3 years get a state side in the VFL.

Watch where it goes from there.

 

[D23D]

If Tasmanians really want their own AFL team, then they should do a deal with the NRL for a league team down there.
Watch how quickly the AFL moves then!

 

[Colbys Boots]

If Tasmanians really want their own AFL team, then they should do a deal with the NRL for a league team down there.
Watch how quickly the AFL moves then!

Yes although pro sports teams in Tasmania tend to last about half as long as pro sports teams on the Gold Coast so I don't think the NRL would be silly enough to fall for that one. The AFL might though.

 

[D23D]

Yes although pro sports teams in Tasmania tend to last about half as long as pro sports teams on the Gold Coast so I don't think the NRL would be silly enough to fall for that one. The AFL might though.

No the NRL wouldn't fall for it, just a cheeky joke!

 

[giantroo]

https://www.themercury.com.au/sport...1/news-story/0d076d7437cba9ebcbc9032cf3ef5222


VFL clubs have been told a Tasmanian team will likely join the competition in 2021

PAUL AMY AND SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun
23 minutes ago
Subscriber only

TROUBLED football state Tasmania will almost certainly be reviving its representative team.

In the AFL’s first major step towards rebuilding problem-ridden Tassie football, planning is underway for a return to the VFL.

VFL clubs have been told a Tasmanian team will be joining the competition, most likely in 2021.

The development comes as momentum grows to persuade the AFL into finally delivering Tasmania its own AFL team, moving on from the fly-in, fly-out models used by Hawthorn and North Melbourne.

There are also ongoing discussions about beefing up the under-18 program as the AFL endures heavy criticism over its management of the game on the island.

Tasmania is a chance to field an under-18 team in a chunk the TAC Cup season, possibly from next year.

The Tassie Devils kicked off in the VFL in 2001, attracting competition-best crowds at their home games.

But they were wound up after the 2008 season, when Tasmanian football bosses decided to put their focus on the state league.

By that stage the Devils had a semi-alignment with North Melbourne, with Kangaroos players including Jonathan Hay flying over for home games.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton had a coaching stint at the Devils, taking over from Matthew Armstrong during the 2006 season.

Former Sydney Swans star Darryn Cresswell led the club in its last two years.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan set up a steering committee in March to try to resolve the Tasmanian football crisis.

The committee includes AFL Tasmania chief executive Trisha Squires, Bolton, former St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt, AFL head of game development Rob Auld, AFL state league and international manager Simon Laughton and is chaired by McLachlan.

Tasmania has produced just one draftee in the past two years, with 2016 the state’s first barren year since 1986.

By comparison, at the same time TAC Cup clubs Sandringham and Eastern have combined for 32 AFL players, including nine top-15 selections.

Former Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said the AFL neglected Tasmania by instead pouring cash into Greater Western Sydney and the Suns.

“It only takes money and resources, but they’re pouring it into Gold Coast and GWS,” Eade, from Glenorchy, said earlier this year.

“You want to go to new frontiers and markets, well that’s terrific. But get your own backyard right.

“That’s very poor. It’s probably been coming for a while, but nothing’s been done to arrest it and it seems like it’s on the slide, which is terrible.

“It needs to have better resources, better academies, better pathways, better coaching.”

Eade claimed soccer was infiltrating Tassie and said it would be better if only one AFL team played a suite of games there every season.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Ahhhh Tassie, I have got some very bad news for you.

HOME GROWN TALENT: A look at how a Tasmanian 22 could shape up.

 

[Mr north man]

And? It still doesn't make "Selling Home Games" in another Market right. :stern look

We have to sell games interstate as our supporters don't turn up to home games in Victoria if could draw 40,000+ to home games we wouldn't need Tasmania

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

We have to sell games interstate as our supporters don't turn up to home games in Victoria if could draw 40,000+ to home games we wouldn't need Tasmania

40,000+ ? there will be lucky to be 14,000+ there this Sunday.

If we could draw low 20's against these sort of teams we could do without Tasmania - unfortunately we cannot so we need to keep it going and the pressure will always be on to play more games there when we get small crowds at Docklands.

 

[Zondor]

We have to sell games interstate as our supporters don't turn up to home games in Victoria if could draw 40,000+ to home games we wouldn't need Tasmania

Yeah thanks for that Onip. Are you a "North Man" or a "Tasmanian Man"? We DO NOT have to sell Home Games to survive as North Melbourne. Bottom Line. :stern look

 

[ferball]

If Tasmanians really want their own AFL team, then they should do a deal with the NRL for a league team down there.
Watch how quickly the AFL moves then!