The Swifties and The Mutton Birds among names suggested for Tasmanian AFL team

The Tasmanian Football Club set the ultimate challenge to footy fans: name the new club. And suffice to say they’ve delivered. The names suggested so far.

Jack Riewoldt. Tasmania Football Club Ambassador Jack Riewoldt will launch the Club's Put Your Say into Play community consultation campaign with Meg Harrison Tasmania Devils. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The ‘swifties’ and the ‘mutton-birds’ are some of the creative names Tasmanians have suggested for a new AFL team.

In May the AFL granted Tasmania a license for a team, which is expected to be in play from 2028.

But before that can happen, there’s a big decision to be made: what to call the team.

The board of the Tasmanian Football Club launched a survey last week to give the public a say on the name.

More than 5000 people were quick to weigh in. .

Tasmanian Football Club ambassador Jack Riewoldt said he was thrilled with the response to the survey so far.

“We said that every Tasmanian’s view was important to us, and it is,” Mr Riewoldt said.

“I think it’s great that people have responded with nicknames like the Swifties (Swift Parrots, not Taylor Swift), The Turbo Chooks and The Mutton Birds.

“We want to hear from many more Tasmanians … We want to hear the wild, the wonderful and the traditional inputs – everything will be considered.”

Grant O'Brien as the Inaugural Chair of the Tasmanian AFL Club. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania Football Club chair Grant O’Brien said he was “really encouraged by the numbers and the feedback”.

“We are committed to ensuring that this club represents and reflects Tasmania and Tasmanians, so this process and the upcoming community face-to-face sessions are very important to gather that input,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This process is not a ‘tick-the-box’ exercise, it is a genuine opportunity for us to gather community thoughts and personally I am looking forward to seeing all the input and bringing it to life in the establishment of the club.”

The survey closes next Thursday before the club embarks on a series of face-to-face community events across the state.