Hobart’s unique charm under threat from Mac Point stadium, says Tassie football champion

Tasmanian football champion, Brent Crosswell, has voiced his concerns over the proposed stadium at Mac Point, saying the project’s size risked ruining one of the “finest cities in the world”.

Peter George, Kristie Johnston, and Brent Crosswell on Parliament Lawns in Hobart. Picture: Supplied

Tasmanian football champion and four-time premiership player, Brent Crosswell, has voiced his concerns over the proposed stadium at Hobart’s Macquarie Point, saying the project’s size and location risked ruining one of the “finest cities in the world”.

Speaking alongside outspoken anti-stadium candidates – independents Kristie Johnston and

Peter George – the former Carlton, North Melbourne, and Melbourne player called on the next Tasmanian government to renegotiate the deal with the AFL that includes a stadium as a precondition of the Devils’ league licence.

Crosswell, whose Tasmanian football Hall of Fame membership was subsequently upgraded to Icon status in recognition of his 222-game career in the top flight, said while he fully supported a state team playing in the AFL, the proposed location of the Mac Point stadium inappropriate and unpopular.

1968. Brent Crosswell. Carlton.

“The stadium is an aesthetic abomination, and would be an act of civic vandalism,” Crosswell – who was known as “Tiger” during his playing days - said on Monday.

“I’m very sensitive to the beauty and charm of Hobart … and I don’t like people chipping away at the edges of its unique aesthetic, with the beautiful colonial Georgian buildings we have here.

“There will be a cost to Hobart of voting for this thing, and Kristie and Peter are both with me on this.

“A stadium is just not meant for that area because it’s huge, and looks like something that has dropped from the moon.”

Ms Johnston said Croswell was one of the most knowledgeable and passionate football supporters in Tasmania, and backed his call for the government to go back to the AFL to renegotiate the terms of the league’s 19th licence.

The independent member for Clark, who is seeking to retain the House of Assembly seat she first won at last year’s election, said it was possible to love football yet want a better deal for Tasmania regarding the stadium.

“Of course, there can be a re-negotiation, as there are negotiations in any kind of contract,” Ms Johnston said.

1978. Brent Crosswell. North Melbourne.

“We’ve already seen a number of deadlines next to the AFL have waived those deadlines.

“Tasmanians cannot afford the stadium, they don’t want the stadium, and it’s in the wrong place.

“Parliament needs to stand up for Tasmania and not do the bidding of the AFL.”

Backing a Devils playing home at the existing York Park ground in Launceston, Mr George said that, if elected at Saturday’s state poll, he would urge which party formed government to seek urgent discussions with the AFL about a new deal which no longer included a new stadium.

“I’ll certainly be very happy to work side by side with Kristie, and I know that her views on the stadium are identical to mine,” the Franklin candidate said.

“And it’s an honour to stand by someone like Tiger, one of the greatest Aussie Rules football players in our history, who can see what a stupid idea it is to try and build a stadium at Mac point where there’s no room for it.

“It doesn’t belong there, and we can’t afford it.”

Originally published as Hobart’s unique charm under threat from Mac Point stadium, says Tassie football champion