“The impact would be seismic”: Richmond CEO Brendon Gale

He’s the chief executive of one of the AFL’s biggest clubs and Richmond’s CEO Brendon Gale has thrown his support behind every aspect of a potential AFL licence for Tasmania.

He’s the chief executive of one of the AFL’s biggest clubs and Richmond CEO Brendon Gale believes an AFL license and a multipurpose stadium can be seen as nothing but a benefit to the state of Tasmania.

Speaking exclusively to The Mercury, Gale, a native Tasmanian who has forged a successful career in football administration since retiring from the game, says the Tigers are fully supportive of a team and urged Tasmanians to look deeper into the benefits a new stadium would provide.

Gale’s comments come on the back of Port Adelaide president David Koch also endorsing both in Saturday’s Mercury.

The views of the pair are far away from that of state Labor leader Rebecca White who this week amped up her campaign against the planned $750m Macquarie Point stadium, calling for a referendum to be held surrounding its potential construction.

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has endorsed the Tasmanian AFL licence bid. Picture by Michael Klein

“We are supportive (of a license). I was asked a few weeks ago and I think I was premature but since then our board has fully considered all the materials that were presented, the bid documents and it’s a big yes from us,” Gale said.

“The board, which I’m a part of, is fully supportive of Tasmania securing a 19th license for the both the AFL and AFLW.

Gale, who many believe has all the tools to be a future CEO of the AFL, said you only have to look at the benefits that Adelaide Oval – and its redevelopment – and Queensland’s Country Bank Stadium in Townsville have provided to those two states.

“I’m aware of the politics and that dollars are limited and while I’ve got a sense of the cost I’m also aware of the benefits,” he said.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“It won’t just underpin the financial model of the club and the prospects of success but it will be a huge boost to the Tasmanian economy. It’s not just about sport, it’s about world class entertainment, culture, business events, conference and exhibition centres so it brings huge economic benefits that benefit the whole of the state and I know that because I’ve seen it.

“I’ve spoken with people like John Olsen who was the premier of South Australia when they gave Adelaide Oval (redevelopment) the green light, maybe 10 years ago, which was a huge investment back then from the state and it’s been transformative. I know people from far north Queensland with the Townsville stadium so yes it’s an investment but it’s one in the state that I’m confident will provide benefits. Not just for the south of Hobart but the whole of the state. It’s a compelling case from where I sit.”

While it remains unclear on the timeline between a team and a stadium – should both be granted approval – Gale said that if a team enters the competition prior to the construction of a stadium being built, Bellerive Oval and UTAS Stadium would be suitable standby venues.

Round 11 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Picture: Rob Blakers

“We haven’t seen all the detail in regards to the transitional piece, so let’s not put the cart before the horse but I think the good will among the AFL community is very strong and it’s very genuine,” Gale said.

“I think the AFL community believes that Tasmania has a legitimate right to be in and for it to be a national competition. It will transcend the game from having a national footprint to being a national competition so what I’m saying is the AFL community will do what it has to do to facilitate that transition.”

As a proud Tasmanian, Gale said the impact of a team would be “seismic” and believed it would bring nothing but a benefit to a club like Richmond to be able to play games in a state of the art stadium in Tasmania.

Richmond CEO and proud Tasmanian Brendon Gale. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

“We have a strong supporter base in Tasmania, we have a strong historical connection with the state of Tasmania and still do and I think it would be tremendous to be able to showcase our club in Tasmania,” Gale said.

“The impact would be seismic because nothing drives participation of a sport more than proximity to the elite game. It’s going to stimulate participation, it’s going to create aspiration and it’s going to create ambition and young boys and girls from all over the state can grow up and become local heroes and reside in their own state. I think it would be wonderful.”

New AFL licence timeline revealed as bid hangs in balance

THE AFL presidents will not be recalled to Melbourne next week pushing an announcement on a Tasmanian licence back at least another two weeks.

The 18 club bosses have been left in limbo as the AFL stalls on its decision over a 19th licence while it continues negotiations with the state government on the stadium build and a potential announcement now likely in November.

After being presented with Tasmania’s bid document on September 19 and returning with their support or otherwise for a 19th licence on October 7, the presidents are still waiting to reconvene in Melbourne for their highly-anticipated all-in discussion on Tasmania’s bid and whether or not the state gets a licence.

While Premier Jeremy Rockcliff says he is in regular contact with AFL CEO Gill McLachlan and the AFL executive, an AFL president confirmed to the Mercury the clubs had heard nothing about a meeting in Melbourne.

MELBOURNE, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022: Gillon McLachlan. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It’s not going to be next week, otherwise we’d know about it by now,” the president said.

“I suspect the stadium component is probably the sticking point.”

The AFL selected Macquarie Point from five sites around central Hobart put forward by State Growth as potential locations for a bespoke multi-purpose stadium.

MacPoint won out as the AFL deemed it the ideal location for access to Hobart’s CBD and its hotels and being an easy walking distance to games and other events.

A $750m roofed MacPoint venue would be closer to Hobart’s CBD than the MCG is to Melbourne’s CBD, the Gabba to Brisbane’s CBD, and the SCG to central Sydney.

An AFL spokesman said the licence application and stadium build was an “important and major piece of work” and that: “We continue to have productive dialogue with all 18 clubs and the Tasmanian Government.”

Mr Rockliff continues to be hands-on in the process to deliver Tasmanian’s dream team.

“I remain in contact with the AFL and look forward to a positive announcement for Tasmania in the not too distant future,” Mr Rockliff said.

Minister for Education Jeremy Rockcliff at Elizabeth College in Hobart. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“Following months of hard work, and years of advocacy, we are now very close to securing a licence for a Tasmanian AFL and AFLW team.

“We have put forward a strong offer to the AFL, and I am confident they will do the right thing and finally give Tasmania its own licence.

“The AFL Commission has broadly endorsed Tasmania’s bid, with negotiations on the final details now occurring with the AFL to ensure the team is in the best position possible for when they take the field for the first time.”

Originally published as “The impact would be seismic”: Richmond CEO Brendon Gale