Jack Riewoldt reveals why the AFL can’t deny Tassie a team
The Tasmanian Government has unveiled plans for a $750m, 27,000 seat Stadium with a retractable roof in Hobart – and it already has full backing of a major Tasmanian AFL star.
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WITH a proposal for a bold new $750 million Hobart stadium the case is now irrefutable for a standalone team, says Tasmanian Tiger Jack Riewoldt.
The Tasmanian Government has unveiled plans for the 27,000 seat venue with a retractable roof at Regatta Point which Riewoldt believes means its game over in terms of debate on 19th team being located in his home state.
However, the stadium will only proceed if the state is granted entry into the AFL.
“That really is giving the AFL no option but to say ‘yes’ and push for this 19th licence and a Tasmanian team,” Riewoldt said.
“The knock on Tasmania has always been the weather, and I can confirm the weather in Melbourne isn’t that much better than in Tasmania, but a roofed stadium in the CBD – can you imagine what that’s going to do for Tasmanian football? For the economy? For jobs in Tasmania? For all sorts of sports and music, arts, everything like that?
“This stadium is going to provide so many opportunities for the Tasmanian community to continue to shine on a national and world stage.
“It is very bold of the premier (Peter Gutwein) but in my eyes he hasn’t put a foot wrong in the way he’s gone about this.
“He’s commanded the respect from the AFL and they’ve dually listened and along with the Taskforce they are leading the charge for this team to come in in what is hopefully the not too distant future.”
A new stadium was more of a wish than a core recommendation in the Taskforce’s business case, but Taskforce chair Brett Godfrey said the Regatta Point venue would be a game changer.
“If this entertainment precinct can be delivered it will in our view turbo charge the State’s bid for that elusive 30-year holy grail – our own Tasmanian AFL team,” Mr Godfrey said.
“There is nothing more powerful that we could deliver to the presidents to support our inclusion once and for all.”
AFL media heavyweight Gerard Whateley also believes the stadium ends any discussion.
“Tasmania will have its own team in the future AFL,” Whateley said on SEN radio.
“It will be time to move beyond the ‘if’ and start to formalise the ‘when’.”
He said Blundstone Arena had passed its use by date and now it was time to create a new stadium to become a powerful symbol of Hobart.
“To deny Tasmania this would be chronically short sighted and mean spirited,” he said.
“Tassie will build it and the AFL must come.”
Riewoldt is so passionate about a Tasmanian team that he said he was willing to anything asked to help the case.
“I was provided with such a great platform as a young player to come through the Mariners and Devils programs when it was absolutely flourishing,” Riewoldt said.
“I’ve not no doubt in my mind whatsoever that being involved in those programs gave me the opportunity to be the best footballer I can be and gave me the opportunity to go on and play 300 AFL games and be involved in three premierships.
“None of that would have happened if I wasn’t given the opportunity by selfless people down there at AFL Tasmania and the Clarence Football Club and I just want to give back in any way possible.”
Originally published as Jack Riewoldt reveals why the AFL can’t deny Tassie a team
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