Jeremy Howe has doubts about a Tasmanian team joining the AFL
Tasmanian star Jeremy Howe would love to see an AFL team in his home state but even he is questioning whether one is financially viable in the current circumstances.
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Collingwood star Jeremy Howe has revealed he is doubtful of his home state’s hopes of attracting an AFL licence in the near future.
A stand-alone Tasmanian team is gaining momentum, with the bid team believed to be eyeing a 2025 AFL entry.
The Magpie high-flyer grew up outside Hobart and would love to see a Tasmanian team, but he expressed concerns about its financial viability.
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“I know the state would love it and the people down there would get around it, but it’s trying to work around just how do you get the financial support for an AFL team in such a small place,” Howe said.
“What is it going to look like?
“That would take us to 19 AFL teams so we would need another one somewhere else.
“It’s something that’s clearly been spoken about for a really long time, but only recently has it started to gain a little bit of traction.
“Given it’s taken so long to get a small bit of traction, it makes me feel not overly confident about it in the near future.”
The league’s new financial difficulties due to coronavirus are also set to impact the likelihood of expansion soon.
Howe played juniors for Dodges Ferry and state league for Hobart Tigers before being drafted by Melbourne.
“Long term maybe they might get a team, but Hawthorn and North Melbourne are still playing down there and I’m guessing they’d be getting some financial support for doing so,” Howe said.
“You’d think if Tassie get a team they’d have to take them out, so would Hawthorn and North be willing to agree to that? Who knows?
“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge.”
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Originally published as Jeremy Howe has doubts about a Tasmanian team joining the AFL