Kennett: The failure of the AFL’s new Tassie Devils team is simply not an option

If the AFL’s Tassie Devils don’t get off the ground, it will be an unforgivable breach of the Tasmanian people’s trust, writes Jeff Kennett.

The AFL and Commission meets on Tuesday.

While there will be many issues needing to be discussed, in the short time they have before they adjourn to attend the Hall of Fame Dinner, two require honest consideration.

The first must be the need to identify the next Chairman of the AFL to succeed Richard Goyder.

Hopefully Richard will exercise the leadership required and indicate he will complete his term and not seek an extension. He is entitled to finish his lengthy service gracefully, without it becoming a continuing issue.

The second relates to Tasmania, the 19th team, the Tassie Devils and the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart.

The 19th team first. The question of the Tassie Devils entering the AFL competition in 2028 has been resolved.

The Tasmanian government, the AFL Commission and Club Presidents resolved this issue some years ago.

For the AFL not to proceed and allow the 19th Club to enter the competition on time would be the most serious breach of faith to the Tasmanian community, particularly its younger

members.

Renders of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, home of the Tasmanian devils. Provided May 26, 2025.

I think the AFL would also lose the respect of many people in the AFL family on the mainland who have supported the concept of a Tasmanian team.

The potential sticking point, continually and recently articulated by the AFL is that a new

stadium be built in Hobart with a non-retractable roof as a condition of the entry of The

Tasmanian devils to the competition in 2028.

The stadium was never going to get off the ground. The site, the roof were demands made by the AFL, which was supported by the Tasmanian government.

It was never going to cost $500m, and in fact the cost has just been revised to $978m, before a sod had been turned.

We all know from experience how construction costs have grown, if this stadium remains a condition of a 19th team, that cost will have grown to approximately $1.3bn.

While I understand the emotion behind a Tasmanian team, and the cost associated with supporting that team, the cost of the stadium as proposed was beyond the capacity of Tasmania to afford.

On the original figures the Tassie government committed $375m the Federal government $240m within which some monies had to be spent on social housing, and the AFL committed

$15m a total of $630m.

The site of the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Where is the extra $370m on today’s estimate of building costs coming from? Not from the

private sector, only the Tasmanian government.

Then there will be the at least $12m a year for the running costs of the stadium. Again, a

Tasmanian government expense.

The AFL must accept some social conscious for what they are asking the Tasmanian community to pay for economically.

With a population of just over 500,000 people, spread throughout the Island State, and with

a population in Greater Hobart of approximately 260,000 people, to foist a cost of over

$600m on the Tasmanians is beyond their capacity to afford without having to borrow

substantially or the lot.

By comparison the population of Greater Perth when it decided to build its new stadium is

around 2,500,000. More importantly WA has the access to mineral royalties in the billions

over the years.

Secondly, they have 2 AFL teams which are very well supported.

Same with the population comparisons on the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

So, the financials for the stadium in Hobart as proposed do not add up.

The AFL have an absolute responsibility to be flexible or devalue the standing of the AFL but

worse destroying the aspirations of those Tasmanians who have been building their hopes

for an AFL team.

The alternative is to move the stadium to Launceston.

Hopefully Richard Groyder will exercise the leadership required. Picture: Getty

The Tasmanian government have already committed $120m to do up the UTAS stadium there. I think it is the best playing surface the AFL play games on now.

By spending up the to $375m the Tasmanian government has already committed to the Hobart stadium, you could have seating for 23,000 people, modern rooms and training facilities, and you would have a very supportive and welcoming community in the form of the Launceston Council and community.

If the Federal government would reallocate its $240m to the development in Launceston, you would have the most wonderful, exciting AFL destination.

And in Launceston you do not need a roof. In fact, it would be a distraction, as most games Hawthorn have played there have been in wonderful.

If the AFL were prepared to rotate every mainland AFL team in succession to play the Tasmanian devils, you would attract multiples of Club supporters to Tasmania, and if the

Hawthorn experience is a good example, many of the supporters would extend their stay to

tour Tasmania.

What we do not want is for this issue to drag on. The people of Tasmania deserve clarity.

Forget the political uncertainty that is currently absorbing the State, the AFL must adjust its

demands quickly, otherwise the commentary that is currently circulating that the demands of

the AFL were established to fail.

Such a notion is absolutely unacceptable.

Originally published as Kennett: The failure of the AFL’s new Tassie Devils team is simply not an option