AFL 2023: Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff hits back after James Sicily comments

Tasmania’s Premier has hit back at criticism from Hawthorn captain James Sicily, declaring the state was united by sledges from “entitled mainlanders”.

Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff has ignited a Bass Strait battle, taking aim at “entitled mainlanders” following Hawthorn captain James Sicily’s Apple Isle sledge.

In a call to arms, Rockliff declared Tasmania’s “time has come” and the state looked forward to doing its “own talking on the footy field” after Sicily came under fire for disparaging remarks on Wednesday about the southern state.

Sicily issued an apology on social media after suggesting in a radio interview that a 19th team in Tassie could struggle to lure players there, saying “there’s not much happening down there”.

Commenting on a link to a story on Sicily’s comments, Rockliff fired back on Twitter on behalf of Tasmanians after being “spoken down to”.

“Nothing brings Tasmanians together like being spoken down to by entitled mainlanders, ignorant of our beautiful state,” Rockliff wrote on Twitter.

“Looking forward to doing our own talking on the footy field. In our colours, Singing our song.

“Our time has come.”

Earlier, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said Sicily “needs to be better” after making disparaging comments about Tasmania that he was forced to apologise for.

Responding to a question about the potential list-build issues for a new Tasmanian team during a

“I spoke to him a few times, he’s got to learn from this,” Mitchell said.

“But by the same token he’s frustrated because it’s not what he meant. It’s not a reflection of his thinking ... but as the captain of the club he needs to be better.

“He was much more talking about his personal situation.”

Nothing brings Tasmanians together like being spoken down to by entitled mainlanders, ignorant of our beautiful state.

Looking forward to doing our own talking on the footy field. In our colours. Singing our song.

Our time has come. https://t.co/byDZRUpc5R

— Jeremy Rockliff (@jeremyrockliff) April 26, 2023

EARLIER: HAWKS SKIPPER APOLOGISES FOR TASSIE SLEDGE

James Sicily has apologised for his sledge of Tasmania, insisting many AFL players would enjoy living in the Apple Isle.

The Hawthorn captain, whose club has Tasmania as its major naming rights sponsor, said in a radio interview on Wednesday morning the league’s 19th team could face a battle to lure players across Bass Strait for more than a weekend.

“I think so, particularly as a young guy, because there’s not much happening down there, it could be difficult,” Sicily told RSN.

“I couldn’t imagine myself living there. It would be hard.”

Sicily has apologised for his remarks. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Following uproar, Sicily took to Twitter on Wednesday night to apologise “to anyone I have offended or upset about my comments on Tasmania today”, saying it was a flippant remark which did not reflect his views on Tasmania.

“What I said related to my personal situation, that throughout my career, my attachment to Melbourne would have made it hard to live in Tassie full time,” Sicily wrote.

“That’s not to say there are not many AFL footballers who would enjoy living there.”

pic.twitter.com/DldCI6Tdrc

— James Sicily (@J_Sicily) April 26, 2023

His original comment drew the ire of Australian cricketer and proud Taswegian Matthew Wade.

“Tassie people have been fighting years for the chance to get an AFL team. Comments like this do not help us working towards our chance at showing just how good our little state is and will be with its own team,” Wade said on social media.

Wade offered to host Sicily in his home state.

“Whenever you want the door is open to come down and I can show you around our boring island if you like!” Wade posted.

Former Blue and Lion Mitch Robinson also slammed the comments.

“I’m sure sponsors love hearing that, considering Tassie pumps $13.5 million into a club that’s currently on struggle street,” he said.

Aussie sprinter Jacob Despard said the comments were “absolutely ridiculous comment considering how much money the state pumps into the Hawthorn Football Club.”

Former Aussie cricket captain Tim Paine expressed his feelings by tweeting the face palm emoji in response.

Tasmania will pay the Hawks $13.5 million to play four home-and-away games in Launceston for the next three years.

A two-year extension of the lucrative sponsorship was announced in January, continuing a partnership that was established in 2001.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff hits back after James Sicily comments