AFL taskforce’s Brett Godfrey challenges naysayers on business case

“I want you to tear it apart, to challenge it and tell us where we are wrong,” Tasmanian AFL taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey said of the state’s big league business case.

L-R Sports Minister Jane Howlett, Jim Wilkinson, Premier Peter Gutwein, Brett Godfrey, Errol Stewart at UTAS Stadium. AFL taskforce announcement. Picture: PATRICK GEE

TASMANIAN AFL Team Taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey said the business case for the state joining the big league is so strong and hole-proof he has challenged critics to pick it apart.

The business case was released on Friday in Launceston by Mr Godfrey and Premier Gutwein (READ MR GUTWEIN’S TALKING POINT)

It shows a team would be economically viable without extra AFL subsidisation such as the Greater Western Sydney Giants or the Gold Coast Suns, would bring additional revenue to the AFL through increased content and would be a significant economic driver for Tasmania.

The modelling shows a worst-case scenario of needing $11 million from Tasmanian taxpayers to run the club, but a more likely spend of $7.3 million for 11 home games and a return of $110 million to the economy and creating 360 jobs.

The state pays Hawthorn and North Melbourne $8 million for eight senior men’s AFL games in Tasmania.

“I want you to tear it apart, to challenge it and tell us where we are wrong,” Mr Godfrey said. “If we are not wrong, if we are materially correct, then it is incumbent on the football community of this state and the media that support it to actually poll those club presidents to come forward and say they do believe that Tasmania does deserve to be in the competition.

“All the myths that you can throw at this bid have been debunked.”

The report found the addition of a 19th AFL team in Tasmania, the Devils, would increase annual content by 11 games a year, and – under the current broadcast deal – create an additional $19 million for the AFL, more than covering the newest club’s average broadcast distribution slice.

As reported by the Mercury , the team would be based in Hobart and play blockbusters at a redeveloped University of Tasmania Stadium.

The report called on the creation of a new roofed stadium at Hobart’s Macquarie Point as Blundstone Arena was at capacity, but again Mr Gutwein ruled out that option.

Mr Godfrey – the former co-creator and chief executive of Virgin Australia – said the game was at risk if Tasmania did not receive a team, with participation and support already in decline. The report said at this rate, Australian rules would drop from the state’s favourite sport by 2030.

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Mr Gutwein said he had already been in contact with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and had made an appointment to meet with the AFL boss with Mr Godfrey in coming weeks.

Mr Godfrey said a team by 2025 would be ideal, giving the state time to build the club and to most likely coincide with the next broadcast rights deal.

Two youngsters excited at the prospect of Tasmania one day having an AFL side are state under 12s Oliver Cunningham, 12, of New Town, and Archie Devine, 11, of Lindisfarne.

“Having our own team would be a great pathway for young Tasmanians to aspire to, to make the AFL,” Oliver said.

Archie said it would end talented Tasmanians moving away. “They could play here and try to make it from your home state,” Archie said.

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TASMANIA’S peak tourism and business organisations have heralded the state’s AFL Taskforce business case, calling it a game changer after it was released publicly in Launceston yesterday.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said the benefits would be felt statewide, with Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium to be expanded from 20,000 to 27,500 and the team to be based in Hobart, creating an economic and employment hub.

“I believe the prospect of Tasmania playing Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton or Essendon – either in Launceston or Hobart – will be a complete game-changer,” Mr Bailey said.

He said a Tasmanian team would create real pathways for young men and women.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said the proposed model would be a winner for Tasmanian tourism, especially in the North. “This model aligns perfectly with the tourism industry’s recommended model, and we think is the right outcome for the state,” Mr Martin said.

He said the first time Tasmania played Collingwood or Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium “will be the single largest major event ever held in regional Tasmania, and a boom for the local economy”. The taskforce had received bipartisan support, but Opposition sports spokesman David O’Byrne said the Government had failed in its part, with Labor having only receiving the report just prior to the public release.

The AFL, AFL Tasmania and Hawthorn all said they only received a copy of the report yesterday and would take time to go through the 268-page document before commenting further.

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