Here’s why the AFL has delayed announcing a Tasmanian team

‘I haven’t heard anyone who is against it’: Tasmanian AFL legend has lifted the lid on the delay over announcing the state’s AFL licence.

TASMANIAN AFL playing and coaching legend Rodney Eade says the delay in announcing that the state has been granted a 19th licence is about settling the finer detail of the finances and draft concessions.

The four-time Hawthorn premiership player and Sydney, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast coach is all but certain his home state will get the green light in the next few weeks.

A legend in the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame, Eade, 64, says the likely holdup in the AFL making the dream come true is assuring the dissenters a Tasmania team is for the greater good.

Former Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade sits in the property room at the Balwyn Tigers football club where Rodney now coaches. Picture: Michael Klein

All but four of the 18 clubs appear to back it, only Gold Coast, Collingwood, Sydney and Hawthorn have put on the handbrake.

“They’d be against it because they are looking after their own turf and probably worrying about economics and draft concessions and that sort of thing,” Eade said.

“The AFL will allay their fears because economically it stands up and I feel they are going to do it differently to the way they set up the Giants and Gold Coast Suns entry as far as draft concessions and how all of that is set up.

The Gold Coast Suns Gary Ablett with coach Rodney Eade and Suns CEO Andrew Travis. Picture: Richard Gosling

“For a genuine national competition Tasmania needs to be in, so I would tell those presidents to look at the bigger picture rather than the narrow-mindedness about their own club.”

Eade has watched numerous attempts over the past 30 years to get Tasmania into the AFL, but feels it has never been closer.

“I’m confident it will get done this time,” he said.

“The rhetoric coming out and the words that we’re hearing in the media seem to be pointed toward a positive call for Tasmanian footy, which would be fantastic.

“More than ever, I’m feeling really positive about it.”

1985. Preliminary Final. Hawthorn v Footscray. VFL Park. Rodney Eade and Allen Daniels.

Footy fans want it too.

“I haven’t heard anyone who is against it,” he said.

“The bulk of the people are hoping for Tassie to get a licence, more than what happened in Queensland or NSW. I think everybody is for it.

“There are probably only a couple of presidents now who are against it, and for everyone else – supporters and people at clubland – it has a really good vibe about it and feel that Tassie deserves a team.

“I think it will happen.”

As for a stadium in his native home town, Eade said: “It will be fantastic.

“They could use it not only for a football stadium but for concerts and other sports and a whole range of other events. It will be sensational.”

Originally published as Here’s why the AFL has delayed announcing a Tasmanian team