Tasmania eyes A-League team as AFL ultimatum ticks down

The Premier has set his sights on getting a Tasmanian A-League soccer team as the clock ticks down on his ultimatum with the AFL.

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PREMIER Peter Gutwein has set his sights on getting a state-based A-League soccer team as the clock ticks down on his ultimatum with the AFL.

Mr Gutwein says no national sporting competition is complete without a Tasmanian team.

Buoyed by the state’s entry into the National Basketball League, Mr Gutwein said it was a point of pride for Tasmanian sport.

“You can’t have a national competition in any sport, and call it a truly national competition, unless a state like Tasmania plays a part,” he said.

“We’ve had some very positive discussions with Football Tasmania and with interests that are considering the opportunity for A-League side here and we’ll continue to progress those.

“But I think off the back of the NBL side and the work that Larry Kestelman is doing, this is Tasmania’s opportunity as a state in a federation to actually to end up with teams in the national leagues which are a true and clear demonstration that Tasmania is a part of this Federation and our people deserve the same opportunities.”

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein during the COVID-19 update at Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

The Premier pointed to Tasmania’s proud sporting history as a state which had produced more than its fair share of sporting greats — when it was given a chance to compete on the national stage.

Mr Gutwein said he was standing firm on his ultimatum with the AFL, which has to consider its future in the state. He said he had spoken to the league over the Christmas break.

“I think one of the key points I’ve made to [AFL chief] Gillon McLachlan, is that it here in Tasmania, Australian football, the base is decaying,” Mr Gutwein said.

“Around the country numbers are increasing, we’re not seeing that occur in Tasmania and in fact we’re seeing more clubs close and put into mothballs. That’s not a healthy football league.”

Gillon McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer of the AFL (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The state government has a five-year $19 million deal with Hawthorn to play five games a year in Tasmania. It expires at the end of this year. North Melbourne receive around $3 million a year from the government-owned Bass Strait ferry operator TT-Line, which also ends this year.

“The position that I have put is that we will not finalise the arrangements for the next contract with Hawthorn or North Melbourne until we have clarity from the AFL in terms of our own licence, that clarity doesn’t exist at the moment,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I’ve made it perfectly clear to Mr McLaughlin that we cannot and will not finalise those arrangements until we have that clarity.

“Negotiations have certainly began with Hawthorn and North Melbourne but they’ll be put on hold.

“I want to see an outcome. Tasmania is part of the Federation and you cannot have a truly national Australian Football League if one of the states doesn’t have a team in it.

“And I’ve made that perfectly clear with the AFL.”

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