Former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says the Territory would be Tasmania’s ‘best ally’ for an AFL licence
Former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou believes Tasmania’s bid for a league licence would find its “best ally” in the Northern Territory.
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FORMER AFL boss Andrew Demetriou believes Tasmania’s bid for a league licence would find its “best ally” in the Northern Territory.
Demetriou told 3AW this week a 19th and 20th league team, if Tasmania and the NT were successful in bidding for a licence, could happen by 2029 at the earliest.
The AFL Commission will meet on Monday to discuss the Apple Isle’s bid for a team, with a detailed proposal to be sent to all 18 club presidents.
Demetriou said Tasmania and the Territory’s AFL prospects were linked.
“Tasmania’s best ally, when it’s all said and done, if they want their own team, is to have a 20th team,” Demetriou said.
“They have earned the right to be considered as a 19th licence.
“If you were going to have a 20th team, I would look no further than the NT.
“It’s up to the NT government and other private operators to support the team.
“And I think there would be support.”
Demetriou said Top End football had a “good history” and there would be enough financial clout to successfully run an AFL team.
He also said it made far more commercial sense to have 20 teams in the league than 19.
“The economics get a better kickstart when you’ve got 10 games to sell to broadcasters than nine games,” he said.
It comes after four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson said the Territory had to “play the long game” with a potential bid.
The Territory Government will spend up to $100,000 to analyse the social impact of having an AFL team in the NT.
A tender was awarded to local business GHD Pty Ltd with a final report to be delivered at year’s end, forming a key part of an overall business case.
Territory AFL Team Taskforce co-chair Sean Bowden said a 20th team made “perfect sense”.
“Footy is in the DNA of the Territory and an AFL team would not just be successful on the field, it would bring a range of off field benefits,” Bowden said.
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