Chris Fagan: ‘Big mistake’ to think AFL bluffing on Mac Point stadium
Ahead of the crucial vote on the future of Tasmania’s stadium, dual Brisbane Lions premiership coach Chris Fagan has warned politicians in his home state not to make a ‘big mistake’.
Tasmanian super-coach Chris Fagan has warned it was “a very big mistake” to assume the AFL is bluffing over its No Stadium No Team warning as the Legislative Council lines up to decide the future of the $1.13b Macquarie Point Stadium next week.
Brisbane’s two-time reigning premiership coach personally asked AFL CEO Andrew Dillon in the lead-up to the make-or-break vote about its stance, and was told in no uncertain terms the league meant business – no stadium, no team and no renegotiations.
Fagan believes Tasmania’s time is now - grab the opportunity before it disappears.
“If anyone in Tasmania thinks that the AFL is bluffing us on the requirement for a new stadium they would be making a very big mistake,” he said.
“Without a new stadium there won’t be a team, and that is fair enough – the club, to be successful, must start out on the right footing.
“The bottom line is the AFL requires us to have a stadium, and they will help the state more with funding at grass roots level than they currently do if Tasmania has a team in the AFL.”
For as long as he can remember, Tasmania has been trying to get a team in the AFL.
“All previous ventures have failed for one reason or another, which is a shame,” he said.
“I reckon this is it. We have actually been granted a licence, subject to a stadium being built.
“We’ve never been closer.
“This is a generational opportunity, we need to grasp it with both hands because it isn’t going to happen again.”
Fagan urged politicians to vote for future generations and positive change.
“The politicians have an opportunity to make a decision that will change the mindset of Tasmanians and build a better and more optimistic future for the state,” he said.
“It would create another revenue stream and a source of free advertising to all Australians and the world about what a good, happening place Tasmania really is.”
Tasmania Devils supporters will stage a pro-team/stadium rally at Parliament House lawns at 1pm on Sunday.
Yes AFL Teams Yes Stadium Association president Steven Hay said it would showcase the strong support for the Devils and a multipurpose stadium.
“Our rally will be positive, relay accurate information and clearly highlight the tremendous opportunity the team and stadium will provide for the whole state,” Mr Hay said.
“We’ll have speakers representing all of Tasmania, not just from inner city Hobart, and clearly demonstrate the multiple benefits of the Devils club and the Mac 1 stadium for Tasmanians.”
The most important caveat in the AFL’s licence agreement with the state government struck in 2023 was the requirement for a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.
That would put an all-weather multi-purpose venue within walking distance of the CBD with its hotels and accommodation, restaurants, bars, cafes and retail businesses for the thousands expected to attend events there.
“It opens opportunities for other sports, conferences, concerts and cultural events to be staged in Hobart,” Fagan said.
“A roofed stadium takes weather out of the equation – the opportunities are therefore endless with success guaranteed - no cancellations.
“More sports, teams and organisations will want to use the stadium. Visiting internationals sports teams may well want to play there along with concerts and other forms of entertainment.
“It will create jobs in building the stadium, for companies providing building materials, construction services and supply jobs, maintenance, catering and events staff.
“And how people who come to the state to watch a game of AFL will return for another visit in the summer because they loved the place so much. And what if the same people tell some of their friends how good it is and they also come for a holiday.”
Fagan said it was Tasmania that begged for a team, not the other way around.
“The AFL are not bullying the state of Tasmania. We went to them to ask for a licence, they didn’t come to us,” Fagan said.
“Our application included the building of a new stadium with a roof. They agreed with this, so let’s get on with it.
“They also want the Devils to be successful, and they know from previous experience with start-up clubs that high quality stadiums and training facilities are a must.”
Awarded AFL Coach of the Year for the second season in a row after taking the Brisbane Lions to back-to-back premierships, Fagan holds on proudly to his Tasmanian credentials.
“The facts are I am a Tasmanian – a proud one,” he said.
“My mum, siblings, nieces and nephews all still live in the state and I come here to see them and enjoy Hobart as often as I can.
“I even brought the AFL premiership cup back to Queenstown last year to share it with the people who helped build my character and personality many years ago.
“A record number turned up at the gravel oval to see, touch and have a photo with the premiership cup, strong evidence of the love for AFL in the state.
“Imagine how it would be if it were Tasmanians celebrating their own premiership cup.
“The whole place would be on fire.”
The one regret Fagan has about his AFL career is that he had to leave Tasmania.
“I’ve lived and worked in many parts of the state – Queenstown, Hobart and Devonport. My preference in my professional life would have been to do what I’ve done in AFL football over the past 28 years at home in Tasmania,” he said.
“But me, like many other Tasmanians, have had to leave the state to pursue my dreams and career elsewhere.
“This has been going on way too long in the AFL realm.
“I wonder just how many Tasmanian men and women would have had successful AFL playing, coaching and administrative careers had we had a team.”
The former teacher in “Fages” drove home the importance of sport as an educational tool in communities.
“I believe people learn just as much through sport as they do through going to school,” he said.
“I know I did - so much of the person I am came to me through competing and playing in teams. I’m a teacher by trade so that’s a big admission.
“A team in the AFL will suddenly provide 80 or so great role models to the young men and women of the state. The importance of this cannot be underestimated.
“Children need great role models - people to look up to, people they can model themselves on.
“In a relatively small community like that, which exists in Tassie, this is very powerful.
“The whole argument around the stadium is all about money - the human side of things is rarely talked about - for example - the fact that young people need role models to look up to.
“That’s what this team will provide.”
The best facilities will help the Devils to be their best.
“If you want to succeed and thrive in AFL football two things are really important from a performance and economic perspective – you must have a modern state-of-the-art stadium to play at and equally-great facilities to train at,” Fagan said.
“There is no getting around this. The AFL competition is an arms race – a race to attract and retain talent.
“If you have average playing and training facilities the talent you draft will leave as soon as they can for greener pastures and you won’t be able to attract great players to the state.
“Let’s take Nick Daicos for example – do you think he would leave Collingwood, where he has access to a great training facility every day and plays most of his games at the iconic MCG, to come to Tasmania to train at second-rate facilities and play at either Bellerive Oval or UTas Stadium”
“We all know the answer.
“To be the best we must attract the best players and keep the best players. I learnt that at Brisbane. There’s no getting around it.
“If we are in it to win it, then a modern stadium and state-of-the-art training facility are a must because it is what all the great clubs have.”
Originally published as Chris Fagan: ‘Big mistake’ to think AFL bluffing on Mac Point stadium
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