Split Tasmanian AFL Team

[sherb]

Tasmanian team, based in Hobart. Simple?

Hawthorn can keep allegiance with Launceston as, Hobart and Launceston hate each other down there.

No, the Tasmanian side can be based in Launceston with North Melbourne maintaining/increasing its allegiance with Hobart.

 

[Patty Healey]

No, the Tasmanian side can be based in Launceston with North Melbourne maintaining/increasing its allegiance with Hobart.

How would that be fair to Hawthorn, they have been in Launceston longer than we have been in Hobart?

 

[sherb]

How would that be fair to Hawthorn, they have been in Launceston longer than we have been in Hobart?

It's not about fairness, it's about highlighting ridiculous arguments.

 

[Gibbke]

Nice try. One team in Tassie or non. Certain people in Hobart & Launy will have to learn to share, most of us are willing to. We share one cricket team, so it can happen.
It just needs a little share & care, from everyone.

Cricket doesn't work the same way. You don't have to engage your supporters or even bring your game to the people. CA pays the bills, and finds ways to prop up the unprofitable, because the structure of cricket is so important. There must be domestic cricket to boost the moneyspinner which is the Aus team, and anything else that makes money is a bonus (e.g. Big Bash). The RC and the Shield drain the coffers, but are too important. The Tigers are not shared - they are a Hobart based side, and the BB team is even branded as one...

This logic is not applied to footy, because each club is a separate entity. Attendances and memberships are all-important...

 

[madmug]

Cricket doesn't work the same way. You don't have to engage your supporters or even bring your game to the people. CA pays the bills, and finds ways to prop up the unprofitable, because the structure of cricket is so important. There must be domestic cricket to boost the moneyspinner which is the Aus team, and anything else that makes money is a bonus (e.g. Big Bash). The RC and the Shield drain the coffers, but are too important. The Tigers are not shared - they are a Hobart based side, and the BB team is even branded as one...

This logic is not applied to footy, because each club is a separate entity. Attendances and memberships are all-important...

I was really just saying The Tassie Tigers are well regarded by the public & media around the state. A Tassie AFL team will provide the same focus for support, more so if they play on both grounds.

Also with the new drop in pitch at Aurora that will give scope for some cricket matches when the BB is expanded.

 

[Bush_Diver]

How plausible is the following for allowing a sustainable model for a Tasmanian AFL team?

The main obstacles being listed revolve around the neither Launceston or Hobart being big enough to fill a supporter base. How does the following sound as a solution?

22 round season...2014 Hobart gets 6 games, Launceston 5, 2015 vice versa..

Memberships can be sold in 3 ways, 11 games, or your 5/6 gamers at a little over half price.

In the two boutique stadiums they have down there, and with the strong support of Tassie state govt, surely this provides a model that can allow a team to thrive long term.

Don't forget we are losing a lot of kids to soccer down there and the a-league has plans to attack.

I'm all for Tassie having a team and everything you have said is more than plausible, it is realistic but the fact remains that the AFL have already infiltrated that market, they don't go down there because it is already an AFL state. That coupled with Hawthorn and now Nth Melbourne giving Tassie their fair share of games the AFL certainly have no plans of expanding the league down there. It is sad but the big picture is they want to expand to places where AFL is the minority. Look at the precedence they have set with GC and GWS, rugby states and rugby cities. Now surely the model doesn't work right? Well it might not early in the piece like at this point in time but with all the compensations both teams have been given all they need is a bit of success and a couple of exciting marquee players to get a few more people through the door. This is especially true if they are able to poach some rugby players as well.

I would say NTH QLD and possibly NT are the next places to get AFL teams before Tassie, unfortunately. Which would mean more compensation picks, more salary cap room and more AFL funding all in the name of expanding the game.

Is it right? Not entirely there is a wrong or right but Tassie have supported the AFL system by allowing Hawks and Kangas to play down there, so they certainly deserve a team.

 

[Bush_Diver]

The AFL wouldn't care how cricket worked either, would neither add or detract from supporters of AFL because it is a summer sport.
The AFL know that at a drop of a hat they could have a team in Tassie and if things went to shit with one of their expansion sides and they needed to relocate or get another side in they could rely on Tassie.
Unfortunately Tassie is like insurance for them.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

I was a little sceptical until I took a trip down to Tassie last year in July. The footy culture there is only rivalled in Melbourne in my opinion. Was wearing my Lions jumper around the place and got many comments, and everyone seemed up for a footy chat.

I think there needs to be a team down there ASAP. I'll fly down to see the Lions play them, especially if it's in Hobart. Need to return to the Ball & Chain. Best steak of my life there.

 

[FootyJunkie]

I would say NTH QLD and possibly NT are the next places to get AFL teams before Tassie, unfortunately. Which would mean more compensation picks, more salary cap room and more AFL funding all in the name of expanding the game.

 

[Gibbke]

The AFL wouldn't care how cricket worked either, would neither add or detract from supporters of AFL because it is a summer sport.
The AFL know that at a drop of a hat they could have a team in Tassie and if things went to shit with one of their expansion sides and they needed to relocate or get another side in they could rely on Tassie.
Unfortunately Tassie is like insurance for them.

You missed the point a bit with the expansion theory - it's all about tv, and Tassie is classed as a regional area, meaning they are absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things to the suits at 7,9 and 10. NQ would be no different, and Darwin presents a lot of logistical difficulties...

But you've absolutely nailed the last point - if you need to do absolutely nothing to attract the punters to the concept, then you most certainly can wait until someone keels over, and serve them up to the Tasmanian public as sloppy seconds...they'll wait like a pining dog, and the AFL knows it...

 

[Bush_Diver]

You missed the point a bit with the expansion theory - it's all about tv, and Tassie is classed as a regional area, meaning they are absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things to the suits at 7,9 and 10. NQ would be no different, and Darwin presents a lot of logistical difficulties...

But you've absolutely nailed the last point - if you need to do absolutely nothing to attract the punters to the concept, then you most certainly can wait until someone keels over, and serve them up to the Tasmanian public as sloppy seconds...they'll wait like a pining dog, and the AFL knows it...

It is completely unfortunate for Tassie and its not like the whole general public down there can jump off the AFL bandwagon. I love going to Tassie and spending the weekend down there for a Hawks game. That is not good for the people who love AFL and are desperate to support their own team. It might add a little bit to the tourism side of things but obviously that would be a whole lot greater if they had their own team and opposition were travelling down there every second week.
Fingers crossed for them but I won't hold my breath.

 

[tap my scully]

I definitely believe that Tassie should be next in line to get a team

 

[Dont be a lemon]

'Tasmania' will only get a team if Hobart ever becomes big enough to justify one.

 

[madmug]

'Tasmania' will only get a team if Hobart ever becomes big enough to justify one.

As said already, Geelong & Hobart are of a similar size.
A Tassie team would be their to service the whole state, 500k. Its also only a one hour fight to Melbourne, so would be an attractive package to visit either Launceston of Hobart for games.

 

[Dont be a lemon]

Geelong's club is there because it joined back in the olden times. And they are quite reliant on Melbourne support, playing home games there even.

 

[EaglesInMyBlood]

Hobart could probably support one at the minute in my humble opinion

 

[Gibbke]

If a team was put together that was immediately successful (or gave the illusion it could be) like the Eagles and Crows in the first years, there would be some glory days for sure...there would be none of this GWS kudos for five figure crowds rubbish, the biggest issue would be lack of stadium capacity, and the local coverage would be manic. The big test would be the next years when the team flushes out the journeymen and rebuilds, and struggles on the bottom of the ladder playing Freo at home one week and GC the next...that core support would be a lot thinner, and financing the operation would need to be very astute. This is why the AFL must control it independant of local interests - the infighting would begin once the first chink in the armour appeared...

 

[Saintly31]

I was a little sceptical until I took a trip down to Tassie last year in July. The footy culture there is only rivalled in Melbourne in my opinion. Was wearing my Lions jumper around the place and got many comments, and everyone seemed up for a footy chat.

I think there needs to be a team down there ASAP. I'll fly down to see the Lions play them, especially if it's in Hobart. Need to return to the Ball & Chain. Best steak of my life there.

Yep, Tas as a state loves their footy. Rugby and soccer hardly rate a mention here.

People look at population figures and go "too small". What they don't take into account is of that population what % are footy supporters. As per your reference to culture, probably as high or higher than Melb.

The Nth/Sth divide exists at a government level no doubt, but as for 'the people' then it is blown up far bigger as an issue than it really is.

I doubt we will get our own team due to the fact the AFL don't see us as a developing market so hence not a priority, but I have no doubt it would be successful if a model similar to the OP was implemented with Hobart as the base - especially if the amount of funding was thrown at it like GWS and GC.

 

[Saintly31]

Theres a pub when you catch a watercab across from Salamanca to the game right near the dock which is AWESOME.

All the AFL fans were there before and after the game, cracking atmosphere.

That would be CBar. I've never seen it so busy as before/after the Swans game!

In fact Hobart has great bars/pubs, especially around Salamanca and waterfront can't go too far wrong.

 

[Pessimistic]

If the AFL somehow solve the two speed league at the moment, then another smaller team like tassie would be easy to achieve

 

[madmug]

If the AFL somehow solve the two speed league at the moment, then another smaller team like tassie would be easy to achieve

The Question is, why is it a two speed League?
Answer is, Too many clubs fighting in one city

 

[Pessimistic]

If it was dog eat dog a few non victorian teams would go down too

They arent going to get big anytime soon

 

[Matt121]

If I have a Tassie team, I would try and spread them around the two stadiums. For example, what if GWS was replaced by Tasmania

Round 1: vs. Sydney (Hobart)
Round 3: vs. St. Kilda (Launcestion)
Round 5: vs. Gold Coast (Hobart)
Round 7: vs. Adelaide (Launcestion)
Round 9: vs. West Coast (Hobart)
Round 11: vs. Geelong (Launcestion)
Round 12: vs. Port Adelaide (Hobart)
Round 15: vs. Western Bulldogs (Launcestion)
Round 17: vs. Essendon (Launcestion)
Round 19: vs. Melbourne (Hobart)
Round 22: vs. Richmond (Hobart)

 

[Dragz]

I think there needs to be a team down there ASAP. I'll fly down to see the Lions play them, especially if it's in Hobart. Need to return to the Ball & Chain. Best steak of my life there.

Suggest coming to Launceston and eating at the JailHouse Grill. Craps all over the Ball and Chain

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Suggest coming to Launceston and eating at the JailHouse Grill. Craps all over the Ball and Chain

Does it beat the plum sauce they have there? That was a life highlight.

I'll definitely add it to the list for when I'm back in town though.