Kangaroos announce strategic exit from Tasmania, ending 14-year partnership in 2025

North Melbourne to play just two Hobart games in 2025 as part of its Tasmania “exit strategy”

HOBART, AUSTRALIA: Luke McDonald of the Kangaroos is tackled by Mitchell Hinge of the Crows during the round 15 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

North Melbourne will play only two games in Tasmania next season as part of its “strategic exit” from the state _ despite being contacted to play four Hobart games in 2025.

After the two 2025, the Kangaroos’ 14-year relationship with Tasmania will officially end.

On Wednesday the club announced it had signed a three-year deal to play two games per season in Western Australia as part of its exit from Tasmania.

“It was necessary for our board and administration to begin planning for a post-Tasmania future once the Devils were granted an AFL licence in early 2023,” said North Melbourne CEO Jennifer Watt.

“We have had a terrific relationship with Spirit of Tasmania and the people of Tasmania since 2012.

Tickets to the first AFL (Australian Football League) game North Melbourne will play at Blundstone Arena (Bellerive Oval), Hobart, to go on sale, from left, deputy Jack Ziebell and North Melbourne skipper (captain) Andrew Swallow, with the first two tickets for the game against Greater Western Sydney (GWS)

“We are proud of the role we’ve played in bringing AFL football to Tasmania, helping pave the way for Tasmania to have a club of its own.”

In December 2022, North Melbourne announced its latest deal with Tasmanian sponsor TT-Line to “play four AFL home games per season in Hobart across 2023, 2024 and 2025”.

North Melbourne said at the time: “Tassie is our home away from home, our Tasmanian supporters have been unwavering in their support and what better way for our Victorian-based supporters to travel across Bass Strait than on the Spirit of Tasmania.”

The contract with TT-Line included a get-out clause that allowed the deal to be “re-negotiated” when Tasmania got its own AFL licence.

The Devils are set to debut in the AFL in 2028.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Jason Horne-Francis of the Kangaroos is tackled by Jai Newcombe of the Hawks during the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Hawthorn Hawks at Blundstone Arena on July 23, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

On Wednesday North Melbourne ended speculation over its future in Tasmania.

From 2026, North will split its four former “Tasmanian games” with two in WA and two at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

Its first WA game next year will be played against West Coast Eagles in Bunbury in round 13 and against Fremantle at Perth Stadium in round 14.

Watt said the Western Australia agreement would provide significant benefits to the Kangaroos.

“As we explored options available to us, the opportunity for North Melbourne to secure two homes games in Western Australia and deliver us a range of outcomes presented itself,” she said.

“The combined outcomes of reduced overall travel, suitable financial terms and the eventual return of two games to our Melbourne heartland made this the best solution for the club moving forward.

“As a result, we worked with the Spirit of Tasmania to plan a phased exit from Tasmania.

“We look forward to bringing two quality games to Hobart next season and of course our North Melbourne Tasmanian AFLW team will also play two games in Tassie in 2025.”

Originally published as Kangaroos announce strategic exit from Tasmania, ending 14-year partnership in 2025