Tasmania on agenda at AFL Commission meeting, afternoon grand final set to be locked in
Despite some club presidents happy for the Tasmania Devils to fall over, the AFL Commission are still backing the side to enter the competition in 2028. Plus, see the expected time of the grand final.
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The AFL Commission will tell the 18 club presidents its support for the Tasmanian team is unwavering at a meeting of club chiefs on Tuesday as the league prepares to confirm a 2025 day Grand Final this week.
Intense lobbying from free to air broadcaster Seven is expected to fall on deaf ears from AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and his AFL Commission.
As early as Tuesday the league is tipped to announce the start time for the Grand Final as 2.30pm in its traditional afternoon slot.
A Saturday afternoon contest remains the most popular time for the Grand Final among fans even though Seven has told the AFL it is missing out on a huge ratings boost with a twilight or night game.
The AFL Commission will meet on Tuesday morning then talk to club chiefs ahead of the Hall of Fame function at Crown Casino.
The league is adamant it has not moved its position once on its contract with the Tasmanian government, which includes a trio of deadlines for planning permits, government legislation and an actual stadium contract later this year.
The AFL and Devils officials were on Monday awaiting developments in Tasmanian parliament which could see a new election scheduled by July 19.
The league will tell wary presidents, some of whom would be happy for the team to fall over, that the deal is the same deal as signed off on by those same club officials.
Adelaide chairman John Olsen said last week it would be hypocritical of presidents to want the team to fall over on financial grounds given how many “mendicant” clubs were supported by the AFL.
The league also has no interest in the Mac Point 2.0 option being touted as a potential cheaper option.
The league said in a statement on Monday: “The Tasmania Devils continue to make great progress led by Chairman Grant O’Brien, CEO Brendon Gale, the board, and inaugural team members Kath McCann and Jack Riewoldt.
“More than 210,000 members have signed up and pledged their support, signifying great momentum and backing for the club. A clear component of the licence bid from the Tasmanian taskforce was a new roofed stadium at Macquarie Point with a capacity of at least 23,000.
“The AFL’s continued position is that this is a condition for the grant of the 19th licence.”
The league will discuss player welfare with its presidents including the new support fund for serious injuries and progress with the illicit drugs policy.
The league remains intent on finding a way to balance a rehabilitation model for the drug policy with a more punitive approach that disincentives drug use from players who do not have welfare or mental health concerns.
The league is also set to discuss its plans to boost club soft caps past the current $250,000 scheduled rise for 2026.
Clubs are keen for a rise of at least $750,000 in total, with the Herald Sun revealing Chris Fagan’s impassioned plea to the Commission to rewards football departments which are so instrumental in shaping the game.
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Originally published as Tasmania on agenda at AFL Commission meeting, afternoon grand final set to be locked in
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