Tassie present 'first-class' bid to AFL

[CureTheSane]

If Hawthorn had any brains, and they don't, they'd stitch up a deal with the AFL now with something along these lines.

5 Home games in Tassie

4 AWAY games in Tassie

9 Home Games at MCG.

4 interstates per year.

Effectively 18 out of 22 games are "Home" games. Do that for 10 years and see how well they do!

Problem with that is that they wouldn't be a true Tasmanian team.
They would be a Melbourne team (Hawthorn) playing half of their games in another state.
Tasmania want their own team.
A relocated team with take around 5 years to truely become a Tasmanian team - until the 'relocated players' have all moved on or retired.

From what was written in the article, it makes for a powerful bargaining chip with for teh AFL.

"Relocate to Tasmania, or wither and die in Victoria"
ie: if no team chooses to relocate, then the AFL will create a new team for Tassie, and all Vic teams have top learn how to survive, or die.

Funny how the 'economic climate' was mantioned in the new item.
A few months ago, this did not exist.
Scary how the AFL's plans appear not to be strong enough to weather what is appearing to be a mild economic downturn.

[dimelb]

The AFL is not interested in Tasmania because it is an unloseable "safe seat". They would rather see Tasmanian players (and others) at West Sydney.

[goswannie14]

The AFL is not interested in Tasmania because it is an unloseable "safe seat". They would rather see Tasmanian players (and others) at West Sydney.

I disagree to a point. I think it is giving the AFL a back up plan if any teams in Melbourne are asking for more hand outs as has been pointed out by CTS.

"Relocate to Tasmania, or wither and die in Victoria"
ie: if no team chooses to relocate, then the AFL will create a new team for Tassie, and all Vic teams have to learn how to survive, or die.

I think to that with another TV deal coming up, the 9 games a week will be a big selling point, hence the AFL will want to keep 18 teams, whether that is by allowing a team to fold and creating a new team in Tassie or relocating a struggling (financially) team to the island state is anyones guess. It will happen, the big question is when?

[Hilly]

The AFL is not interested in Tasmania because it is an unloseable "safe seat". They would rather see Tasmanian players (and others) at West Sydney.

I'd be surprised to see any decent draftee's anymore out of tassie over next few years. There is no pathway or development program good enough to develop promising young players. There's no more devils in the VFL and the mariners only play a handful of games.
As for the new statewide league, what a joke that is going to be....