Next generation of footy players hope to make their mark in new Tassie AFL team

The next generation of aspiring Tasmanian footy stars are dreaming of the day they can represent their island home state in its own AFL team. DETAILS >

Henry Kelly 10, Elka Street 8, Hugh Tamlyn 10, Mabel Gray 9. Players from North Hobart Junior Football Club who are happy to see they may one day be able to play for a Tasmanian AFL team. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The next generation of aspiring football players hope to make their mark in a new Tasmanian AFL team.

With big dreams of representing their home state on the field, North Hobart football club junior players Hugh Tamlyn, 10, Mabel Gray, 9, Henry Kelly 10 and Elka Street, 8, are eagerly anticipating the news of a Tasmanian footy team.

“We’re really excited,” Hugh said.

“There’s not many AFL games down here and it’s a good opportunity for more games to be in Tasmania.”

Henry said it would be good if every state had a footy team.

“It’s (called) the Australian Football League – so it should be everyone, not just mainly Melbourne,” he said.

Henry Kelly, 10, Elka Street, 8, Hugh Tamlyn, 10, Mabel Gray, 9. Players from North Hobart Junior Football Club who are happy to see they may one day be able to play for a Tasmanian AFL team. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hugh’s father Simon Tamlyn said the possibility of Tasmania getting a team was incredibly exciting for the next generation of kids.

“It will give the kids a clear pathway for something to dream and aim towards,” Mr Tamlyn said.

“It just gives Hugh an opportunity to strive for something at that next level, which we wouldn’t necessarily have gotten otherwise,

“I understand that there’s quite a lot of politics involved with it – and given the cost of living crisis that’s on our hands at the moment – but I think it’s the right thing to do and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Parent Hannah Gray said having a team would be a clear pathway for players to reach the AFL.

“I know with my son, the first thing that he said was that by 2027 he will be old enough to maybe one day make the Tassie team,” she said.

“It’s hard to argue with the aspiration that the opportunity creates in knowing that we’re going to have our own Tassie team.

“Regardless of your opinion on the stadium, to know that Tassie is finally gonna get the team that it deserves, that’s something to be excited about.”

The first thing that Mrs Gray’s daughter, Mabel, asked her was if there would be an AFL women’s team.

“My dad played footy, my pop played footy and my brother plays footy and I play footy and I really like it,” Mabel said.