Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves says the club won’t walk away from its 18-year investment in Tasmania
Hawthorn has put 18 years of hard work into developing football in Tasmania. It is for that reason the club is refusing to entertain the idea of walking away from the state. What does that mean for the AFL?
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Hawthorn has declared it will not walk away from its 18-year investment in Tasmania, despite Gillon McLachlan’s desire for one team in the state.
Hawks chief executive Justin Reeves told key football figures in Launceston this week that the club was in no mood to give up years of hard work.
AFL chief executive McLachlan last week asked club chief executives whether the state deserved its own team.
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It’s understood that league executives Ray Gunston and Darren Birch quickly made clear to the room the AFL could not afford to sustain another team in Tasmania.
The league has no plans for a 19th team and has backed in Gold Coast, despite speculation of a future relocation.
Reeves told the Herald Sun on Friday the relationship with the state, which delivers Hawthorn $19 million in a five-year deal, was more than financial.
“We believe the current model works well,” Reeves said. “There are big differences between the north and south of Tasmania. We have been there 18 years and have made a huge impact to the north.
“Until that changes, we will continue to invest in the state.
“North Melbourne don’t want to play more games in the state anyway.
“(President) Ben Buckley and (chief executive) Carl Dilena have said that it’s not part of their plans,” Reeves said.
“I was down in Launceston this week and everyone is super positive.
“They said the last thing they want is for us to go.
“With improved MCG and Marvel Stadium deals it might be that we are better off playing in Melbourne but we have been there for 18 years and we just won’t walk away.
“We are really proud of what we do there.”
Hawks president Jeff Kennett last week accused McLachlan of toying with the emotions of the state’s football lovers, saying he should “put up or shut up” over financially backing a Tasmanian team.
North Melbourne and Hawthorn have deals with the Tasmanian government to play four games in the state until 2021.
Economic impact statements show the investment is returned many times over.
The Hawks have played 60 games in Launceston since 2001, winning 46 and drawing one. They have won 24 of the past 27 games and drawn once.
The Tasmanian state government has formed a Football Tasmania Board to grow participation across the state and attempt to gain an AFL licence.
But securing a relocated AFL team like the Gold Coast would be more financially viable than starting up a 19th AFL team that would cost the league more than $25 million extra a season.
An AFL steering committee led by McLachlan this year agreed to put $1.4 million of extra funding into the state next year and introduce a Tasmanian boys team into the TAC Cup in 2019.
A Tasmanian team will also be introduced into the VFL in 2021 as the league attempts to find ways to boost junior development after a worrying drop-off in the state.
Originally published as Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves says the club won’t walk away from its 18-year investment in Tasmania
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