Time for Tassie to step up and host a festival of footy during Victorian lockdown

One of the biggest names in the AFL has pleaded with the State Government to open its borders for upcoming league matches, as Tasmanian authorities make plans to facilitate an upcoming game.

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TASMANIAN authorities are planning for an AFL team and its support staff to enter the state on chartered flights under strict Covid rules for a match in Hobart next week.

Deputy State Controller Scott Tilyard said planning was underway to facilitate the match between North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney at Blundstone Arena on June 13, should restrictions remain in place amid the Covid-19 outbreak in Victoria.

“The arrangements, that will be informed by Public Health advice, involve NMFC players, and necessary support staff, flying into and out of Hobart on the day on specially chartered flights under strict Covid protocols,’’ he said.

“Plans have not been finalised at this stage and will be dependent on how the Covid-19 situation develops in Victoria over coming days.”

EARLIER:

MEDIA heavyweight and former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says its time Tasmania stepped up in hosting AFL games during the Victorian lockdown.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night, McGuire said should Tasmania not only host its fixtured match of North Melbourne and the GWS Giants in Hobart on Sunday, June 13, but also the match the following week against Brisbane on Saturday June 19.

It could even be a “festival of footy” with possibly the Hawthorn-Essendon match in Launceston the next day – seeing Tasmania host two AFL roster games in the same round for the first time as well as being the Bombers first Tasmanian game for premiership points.

“As long as it meets all the health checks, you’d like to think Tasmania would want to be part of this,” McGuire said.

“This is their big moment to put their hand up and show a bit of support.”

Eddie McGuire

McGuire said hosting those games and filling the stands would send a strong message to the AFL in relation to the state’s push for its own team.

However, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein while remaining open to the idea, was not rushing into any decision yet.

“As I said last week, we are open to the possibility of hosting more AFL games down in Tasmania, or an AFL hub if the situations demands,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I communicated this to the AFL last week and the ball is in their court, acknowledging the uncertainty that still remains with the Victorian lockdown and its impact on the AFL fixture.

“However, to be very clear – we will not do anything to put Tasmanians at risk and we will act on Public Health advice at all times.”

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