Tasmania’s AFL team bid receives huge boost with independents backing new stadium
Tasmania’s AFL dream has moved closer to reality after four key politicians confirmed they would back the new stadium, sparking relief among the state's football legends.
Two of the Apple Isle’s finest footballers say there is a sense of relief as the Tasmania Football Club moved a massive step closer to becoming the AFL’s 19th team.
The Devils’ place in the competition from 2028 surged forward on Wednesday after four members of Tasmania’s upper house confirmed they would vote in favour of the Macquarie Point Stadium development.
The independent politicians had loomed as the key decision makers in the club’s hopes with the AFL consistently standing by its no stadium, no team policy.
Dean Harriss, Casey Hiscutt, Tania Rattray and Bec Thomas all revealed they would vote yes after it had been predicted their decision would play a key role in the club’s existence.
Their confirmation meant the project had at least eight of the 15 votes it needed to pass through the house.
Macquarie Point will become the Devils’ home ground from 2029 with the club expected to play at existing venues including Ninja Stadium in Hobart and UTAS Stadium in Launceston during their first season, 2028.
Proud Tasmanian and former AFL coach Rodney Eade said he was buoyed by what impact the Devils’ arrival could have.
He said the new stadium was a game changer for his home state.
“The feeling is excitement. I was always confident but it’s a relief at the end, obviously there’s some passionate people who didn’t want it to go ahead,” Eade told this masthead.
“But I think it will be great for the state. I know some people say ‘why do it for footy’, but I think footy can be a real vehicle for not only footy but for communities around the state to drive different (non-football) programs but also generate local footy clubs.
“The biggest insurance for making the team viable is a stadium deal. Every team here in Melbourne has a good stadium deal, they saw that as a must but I see wide ranging benefits for everyone in society.
“I think it will be a financial juggernaut in many ways and the naysayers will see it’s a positive economic outcome for the state.”
Four-time Richmond premiership star and AFL hall of famer Royce Hart said future generations would benefit most.
“The kids are vitally important in this, if you just have a look at Brisbane and Sydney academies, the AFL are tipping in a huge amount of money into them and they produce opportunities for young kids,” he said.
There is no timeframe on when the official vote will be completed with all 15 members of the upper house given an opportunity to put forward their opinion.
While the project will now be passed through parliament, the Devils license remains a provisional one until the AFL lifts those provisions.
A previous example is the Gold Coast Suns who became the league’s 17th team, officially entering in 2011.
After being given a provisional license in 2008, the final license wasn’t handed down until late in 2010 after the club had met a number of criteria.
The Devils aren’t expected to make an official statement until after the vote is completed.
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