‘Perfect sense’: Why Hawks coach thinks they can co-exist with Devils
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell is adamant the club can co-exist with the Devils, and has branded continuing their partnership with Tasmania post 2027 as “perfect sense”.
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Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is adamant the club can co-exist in Tasmania with the Devils when they enter the AFL, insisting it’s “perfect sense” they maintain their relationship with the state.
The impression the Hawks has left on the Apple Isle since they first played there 24 years ago was evident when over 14,000 fans packed UTAS Stadium to watch their 12-point win over the Giants on Saturday night.
Devils boss Brendon Gale has said publicly he’d prefer the Hawks’ partnership with Tasmania to end once they enter the league.
Last month the Hawks extended their deal to play four regular season games per year in Launceston until 2027, with the Devils to enter the AFL in 2028.
But Mitchell, who has enjoyed a strong link to Tasmania as a player and coach, is bullish both clubs can find a way to thrive harmoniously.
“Hopefully this is going to be a home away from home for a long time,” Mitchell said after the win over the Giants.
“We love coming down here, and hopefully they can work something out to make it a long term play for us.
“My personal view is it makes perfect sense. We’ve been coming here for over 20 years now. “We’re not all home grown but we certainly feel at home here and to play against them (Devils) on a regular basis, to play probably here (Launceston), I think it makes perfect sense.”
The Hawks have long been a staunch supporter of Tasmania having its own AFL team.
When the club extended its agreement to play games in Launceston for two more years in 2023, it was under the condition the state would successfully secure AFL and AFLW licenses.
Mitchell believes the work the club has done in the state is too much of a win-win relationship to walk away from,
“Hopefully we can continue to keep some relationship with Tasmania, because we’ve worked so hard and Tassie has embraced us in such a fantastic way for such a long period,” Mitchell said.
“What I hope is we can remain part of the landscape down here.
“I think the club and Ash (Klein, Hawthorn CEO) are working pretty hard with the (state) government to make sure there’s still a place for us.
“I’ve been personally coming here since 2002 and I wouldn’t like to stop doing that, I’d like to keep coming here if you’ll still have us.
“I hope they can work something out and I think we add value to the Tassie people, and you certainly add value to us.”
Renowned for their banter with rival clubs, the Giants used their banner on Saturday to poke some fun at the Hawks.
“Two teams on different levels, forget the Hawks where are the Devils?”, it said.
Saturday’s top of the table clash was the first night game at Launceston since 2018, and Hawthorn also takes on Adelaide in a Friday night showpiece in round 14 on June 13.
Originally published as ‘Perfect sense’: Why Hawks coach thinks they can co-exist with Devils
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