Premier puts Launceston on the table in bid to land a Tasmanian AFL hub

With the AFL to cover costs, the Premier has offered a Tasmanian city to the league as the perfect site for a hub to get the competition back up and running.

TASMANIAN Premier Peter Gutwein has offered up northern Tasmania as an AFL hub to league chief executive Gillon McLachlan.

Mr Gutwein has sent a letter to Mr McLachlan proposing Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium as a centre to kickstart the game following the coronavirus shutdown.

Mr Gutwein said as it was understood the AFL would be picking up the hubs costs, Tasmania had put its hand up to host — although in what structure or even if the AFL would still need hubs remains undecided.

“We believe we could provide an opportunity there subject to public health advice in terms of our border controls,” he said.

Hawthorn and Port Adelaide form a huddle after the 2019 round 10 match at UTAS Stadium in Launceston. Picture: DYLAN BURNS/AFL PHOTOS

However, while it was believed both Launceston and Hobart could be venues for hubs, the Premier said only the northern site was the best fit.

“More than likely in the north of the state,” he said when asked where the hub would be.

“That is an area that can provide the necessary infrastructure and we’ll be having a discussion with Mr McLachlan later this week.”

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He also spoke to the AFL CEO last week and reiterated his calls for the league to cull existing unsustainable clubs to make way for a Tasmanian team.

“I made the point again as I made in this room that all businesses will need to consider their operating models as we work through this,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I’ll be having another conversation with Mr McLachlan in coming weeks or months on that particular matter.”