Editorial: Tassie coronavirus restrictions could reap a rich reward

EDITORIAL: As we come to terms with the everyday challenges of social distancing — or hibernation as we prefer to call it — it’s important to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Tasmania could host plenty of AFL action this year under a plan being floated by Eddie McGuire. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

EDDIE McGuire’s plan to resurrect the AFL season by using Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia as hubs should be music to our ears.

Under the Collingwood president’s proposal, three teams would be based in Hobart, three in Launceston, and six in South Australia and Western Australia.

Mr McGuire — who also sits on the AFL’s coronavirus taskforce — says the plans were being looked at seriously, with the competition bosses still hoping they can recommence play on May 31.

DOES TASSIE HOLE THE KEY TO AFL’S RETURN?

The NRL has started similar discussions about kickstarting its season in a remote hub.

Both codes are clearly desperate to ensure there is some sort of competition this season to ensure the survival of the leagues.

To begin with, crowds would be unlikely to attend the games in person, but having the players come to Tasmania — as well as the TV exposure the state would receive — would help offset at least some of the pain thrust upon us by the coronavirus crisis.

We doubt there would be too many complaints from fans who would likely be relieved to have something to distract them while they remained in their homes.

It’s a great perspective because it highlights how, on the national stage, Tasmania is being viewed with its tough restrictions and border controls.

Clearly, mainlanders are optimistic about our chances of bouncing back from this crisis more quickly than most, and as we come to terms with the new everyday challenges of social distancing — or hibernation as we prefer to call it — it’s important to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

We have to believe that the better we enact all the expert medical advice and follow the rules, the quicker we’ll be free to return to our old lives, whether that be dining in a local restaurant, taking our kids to a park, or following our sporting teams.

Similarly, in yesterday’s Mercury, Tasmania’s tourism boss called on the State Government to bring Test match cricket or a top-flight one-dayer to Tasmania next summer.

Luke Martin’s view is that big sporting events would be a key part of our recovery from the economic damage done by COVID-19. And he’s right.

“It’s only a game,” is often thrown around by those who don’t understand just how significant sport is to our national psyche.

It’s about so much more than a bat or a ball.

For Australians, sport is about having something to look forward to at the weekend, something to talk about with work colleagues on Monday morning.

We carry on about umpire’s calls and lambaste our players for missed opportunities — it evokes in us a passion like no other.

When it comes down to it, sport is about mateship, and is a way for many Australians to connect with each other — and the thought of play starting again reminds us that this strange new world in which we are currently living is only temporary.

Tasmanians should be excited to try to leverage our position to get a bigger piece of that pie.