Premier invites Tasmanians to AFL game to show Gold Coast Suns chief how passionate we are

Mercury readers can claim FREE passes to the North Melbourne/Gold Coast Suns AFL game this weekend, as we rally to show the Suns boss how passionate we are about our footy. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR TICKETS >>

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READERS of the Mercury can claim two adult passes to the North Melbourne/Suns game this weekend.

FREE with Friday’s and Saturday’s Mercury, readers can redeem two double passes to the game by scanning a QR code on the front page before the match, which will allow a family of up to four entry to the David Boon Stand.

Conditions on the Ticketek website.

It’s part of a push to send a powerful message to the AFL how much Tasmania wants its own team.

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Premier Peter Gutwein on Thursday issued a battle cry to Tasmanians to head to Blundstone Arena en masse on Saturday to show Gold Coast Suns president Tony Cochrane just how serious we are about our footy.

The politican even took to his TikTok to encourage his followers to get on board.

@papi_g

Tassie - get behind an AFL team of our own by turning up to the North Melbourne and Gold Coast Suns match at Blundstone Arena on Saturday!

♬ original sound - Papi G

Mr Gutwein revealed in Question Time that he will join a push to encourage Tasmanians to get behind this week’s AFL game where North Melbourne will take on the Suns in a show of strength and solidarity for the state’s push for its own AFL team.

“Now this weekend North Melbourne play the Gold Coast Suns and I think all of us in this place recognise that the Gold Coast Suns chairman is one of the few detractors left for our plan to have our own team,” Mr Gutwein said.

Premier Peter Gutwein with Emily, 13 and Bailey Apted, 8 of Midway Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“But I think like every other Australian that visits our shores I think he is turning.

“This weekend when he’s here at Blundstone, we as Tasmanians get the opportunity to show him first hand our passion for the game and that it has been an integral part of our state’s sporting history.

“Whilst I understand that the Suns aren’t the most successful team in the AFL, and while it is unusual for me to use this parliament as a place to drum up business for failing football clubs, I would make the point that we need to turn up on Saturday and demonstrate that we have a real passion for the game.”

Tony Cochrane at Metricon Stadium. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Gutwein has challenged Mr Cochrane to a goal kicking competition asking the public to come along and support him in his quest to show the outspoken Suns boss what Tasmanians are really made of.

He also implored Tasmanians to get along on Saturday to send a clear message to the AFL about how much we love our AFL.

He said he would be working with the Mercury and North Melbourne to give people the opportunity to get along.

North Melbourne will be offering free entry to kids (who come with an adult) while the Mercury is working on another exclusive offer for readers which will be announced very soon.

The war of words between the Gold Coast Suns chairman and Mr Gutwein began when the outspoken chairman voiced his opposition to granting Tasmania the AFL’s 19th licence within the next five years and claimed several other AFL presidents would oppose the decision.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein who is pushing for Tasmania to be represented in the AFL and A- League. Picture Chris Kidd

Mr Cochrane said the AFL could not afford a 19th franchise and took a swipe at Tasmania’s AFL Taskforce chief Brett Godfrey and his 368-page report into the state’s readiness for an AFL team.

Mr Cochrane stated the AFL could not afford an extra team regardless of where it is based.

“The AFL as an industry cannot afford a 19th franchise. I don’t care whether that’s a franchise in Timbuktu, Tailem Bend or Tasmania,” Mr Cochrane said.

The words from Mr Cochrane were not well received from Mr Gutwein who hit back at the Suns chairman.

“It is disappointing Gold Coast Suns’ chair, Tony Cochrane, continues his sustained attack on Tasmania’s bid for an AFL team, including an attempt to discredit chair of the AFL Tasmania Taskforce, Brett Godfrey, on Fox Sports,” he told the Mercury exclusively.

“Mr Godfrey is an independent and highly reputable business leader, and has contributed an enormous amount of effort to undertake due diligence and oversee the Taskforce business case, which clearly demonstrates that a Tasmanian AFL team stacks up.”

Mr Cochrane has questioned everything about Tasmania’s AFL campaign – from population, fan base, finances and economics and even the state’s weather.

Last week he said on interstate radio he again dismissed the idea of Tasmania finally being granted a licence.

“From a business point of view that would be insanity,” Mr Cochrane said.

“From a pure fanbase point of view it would be nuts.”

Terms and conditions of free double passes

Offer opens at (1am) AEST on 25 June 2021 and closes at 3pm on June 26. Offer is for a free double pass, which includes four reserved seats in the David Boon stand per transaction. Tickets can be redeemed by scanning QR code to unique Ticketek link. Tickets not redeemable for cash.