AFL 2021: Major breakthrough in Tasmanian franchise plans

Hawthorn and North Melbourne have long been the ‘home’ clubs in Tasmania. But that could soon change. Here’s what it means for both clubs’ bottom line.

Tasmania has had a major breakthrough in its 30-year bid to join the AFL which looks set to secure a lucrative extension for Hawthorn and North Melbourne to play four games each in Launceston and Hobart next season.

As revealed exclusively by News Corp, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein’s hard line stance with the AFL has paid off with the state to get a decision for entry by early next year.

The Carter report, which recommended Tasmania’s entry through either a 19th licence, a relocation or a joint venture, will go to AFL’s 18 club presidents with 12 required to back the idea for entry.

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Blundstone Arena hosts a game between St Kilda and Fremantle in Round 23. Picture: Getty Images

The timeline will give the AFL a chance to finalise the club’s funding models for 2023 and 2024 before making a decision on whether to possibly expand the competition.

Gutwein also confirmed Tasmania would play host to the two winners of this weekend’s elimination finals in Launceston in a hub prior to the state possibly hosting a semi-final, depending on results from the qualifying finals in Adelaide.

The Tasmanian Government will now recommence talks with Hawthorn and North Melbourne about continuing its combined $8 million contract for eight games split between Launceston and Hobart respectively.

North Melbourne chief executive Ben Amarfio said the Kangaroos were “very pleased” the AFL had provided clarity to Premier Gutwein on a timetable on the decision for a Tasmanian AFL team.

“This decision will pave the way for us to continue our discussions with the Spirit of Tasmania in relation to North Melbourne playing four home games in Hobart in 2022,” Amarfio said.

“As the Premier stated (on Tuesday), it is a win-win for all involved. Our 6700 Tassie members will have the opportunity of watching us play at Blundstone next season and Tassie will finally have clarity about a decision on their own team.

“As we understand it, the AFL Commission will put its recommendation on a licence for a team to represent Tasmania to AFL Club Presidents during the early part of the 2022 season.”

Gutwein had put talks on hold earlier this year when he sought a timeline on a stand-alone Tasmanian AFL side, but both clubs are hopeful the dialogue will start again soon.

“The AFL and the State Government will work through the matters raised in the Carter report ahead of a final position being put to club presidents for a decision on a Tasmanian AFL team,” Gutwein said.

“A historic decision will be made as early as possible next year on whether Tasmania will have its own team, which now paves the way for us to conclude negotiations for the one-year rollover with both Hawthorn and the Kangaroos for next season.

“This is a win-win.

Both elimination finals will be played at UTAS Stadium in Launceston this weekend.

“Tassie footy fans get yet another season of top class footy played in Tasmania and we will finally have a decision on our own Tassie team.”

Taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey hailed the timeline as “an unprecedented leap forward.”

“The Carter Report as supported by the AFL validated the Tasmanian business case,” Godfrey told the Mercury.

“A line in the sand has now been provided. We have a date for a decision.

“Whilst it is merely one of several likely gates to step through, it is for the first time a formal opportunity for Tasmania to be heard.

“What happens next as to process is up to the AFL and the State. Our job was to test, review and provide a sustainable and viable business case for a Tasmanian team, along with a pathway – that work now appears complete and validated due both the Carter Report and today’s announcement.”

McLachlan said there were a number of steps recommended by the Carter Review, including investigating potential models, locking down Government funding for a potential team for Tasmania and stadia investment and the AFL would work through those with the Tasmanian State Government ahead of putting a final position to club presidents for a decision.

“We need to finalise the industry funding model with the 18 clubs given the continuing impact of the Covid pandemic and have undertaken that once that work is done and we have worked through the steps identified by the Carter review, the AFL Commission will put a position to the clubs for decision on a licence for a team to represent Tasmania,” he said.

But the reality is Gutwein has already committed to providing funding for the team and completely ruled out the joint venture option, while a club voluntarily agreeing to relocate was highly unlikely, leaving the government’s desired model of a 19th licence as the only viable option.

Originally published as AFL 2021: Major breakthrough in Tasmanian franchise plans