Tasmania’s AFL team bid receives huge boost with independents backing new stadium

The Tasmania Devils are one step closer to becoming the AFL’s official 19th team after three key independents threw their support behind the Macquarie Point Stadium project.

The Tasmania Football Club is the closest it has ever been to officially becoming the AFL’s 19th team.

During a debate in Tasmanian parliament’s upper house on Wednesday, three independent politicians confirmed they would vote in favour of the Macquarie Point Stadium development.

Since giving the Devils a provisional license, the AFL had consistently stood by its no stadium, no team policy

Casey Hiscutt was the man who delivered the news Devils supporters had been hoping for when he became the latest member of the Legislative Council to reveal he would vote yes.

Macquarie Point Stadium is a step closer to being ticked off. Picture: MPDC

His decision meant the stadium project had at least eight of the 15 votes it needed to pass through the house.

“It’s about building a home and culture,” Hiscutt said.

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.

Fellow independents Bec Thomas and Tania Rattray both announced their intentions to support the build earlier in the day.

Thomas, who teared up during her speech, was strong in her comments towards those who were against the project.

“I am genuinely sorry to those who desperately did not want me to support this,” she said.

Bec Thomas will vote yes to the stadium. Picture: Linda Higginson

There is no timeframe on when the official vote will be completed across the next two days with all 15 members of the upper house being 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.

At a press conference on Wednesday morning, where the Devils announced Matthew Knights as their inaugural academy coach, the club said it would not make an official comment on the stadium until a later time.

Originally published as Tasmania’s AFL team bid receives huge boost with independents backing new stadium