Interstate border closures could open door for Tasmanian AFL hub

Victoria’s COVID-19 outbreak could see Tasmania hosting an AFL hub as the league tries to keep the interrupted season going.

THE closure of South Australian and Queensland borders to Victorian teams has put Tasmania back on the map to host an AFL hub.

The state, with its two AFL standard venues, had been previously touted as a hub during the COVID-19 football shutdown, but the possibility is now back on, with the state’s borders to reopen from July 24 and the Tasmanian Government in talks with the league.

AFL fixture boss Travis Auld said Tasmania was being discussed as a solution.

Travis Auld Picture: KELLY DEFINA/AFL MEDIA/GETTY IMAGES

“They do and not just options,” Auld said on SEN radio on Tuesday.

“Look at Tasmania for example, we’ve got through our clubs great relationships, we’ve enjoyed the support of Tasmanians for a long time now so there is an opportunity to give back.

“So where there is the opportunity to play games in Ballarat and ACT and Darwin and Tasmania, we’ll certainly do that.

“It is just a little more complicated at the moment and the timing of that is unknown.”

Premier Peter Gutwein had previously flagged Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium as the state’s hub central, especially as Hobart’s Blundstone Arena is out of action as venue operators, Cricket Tasmania, is unable to remove the cricket sightscreens and install football goalposts.

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The AFL has stated previously it would cover any hub costs, such as it has done on the Gold Coast, but if the Tasmanian hub included North Melbourne and Hawthorn, the two clubs might claim they are fulfilling their contracts to play games in Tasmania and seek payment.

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff could not provide any answers on Tasmania hosting hubs.

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“I’m aware the Premier has had conversations with the AFL in respect to this matter but I can’t provide anymore detail on that,” Mr Rockliff said.

At present the number of Tasmanians that can gather at an outdoor venue is 500, and the state is watching closely the situation in Victoria before completely reopening the borders.

“We need to be guided by that public health advice and the borders are going to be opened again on July 24 but of course what is happening now in Victoria is very concerning,” Mr Rockliff said.

“The Premier has made it very clear we will be reviewing the situation particularly as it relates to Victoria around that time frame of July 24.

“It is concerning what’s happening in Victoria, that’s why we are monitoring it and reviewing it and an announcement will be made before that time.”