AFL: Richmond in talks with Tasmanian Government over Hobart games
An AFL club has confirmed it has been approached by the Tasmanian Government to play games in Hobart from next season and one legend has backed the bid.
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Legendary Tasmanian Tiger Royce Hart says it “makes bloody sense” for Richmond to play AFL games in Hobart over the next two seasons and fill the void about to be left by North Melbourne.
The four-time Richmond premiership player and two-time Tigers premiership captain says Ninja Stadium will be packed to the rafters if his former club took up a Tasmanian tenancy.
Richmond confirmed on Wednesday it was in negotiations with the state government about playing games in Hobart.
It is believed the Tigers are considering transferring at least two of their money-losing matches from Marvel Stadium to Hobart in 2026 and 2027, ahead of the Tasmania Devils joining the AFL in 2028.
“Richmond can confirm the club has been approached by the Tasmanian Government,” a spokesman for Richmond said.
“It is a proposal that the club is yet to fully consider, and it would need to be of significant benefit to the club if we were to pursue it.”
Before it farewells Tasmania to start playing four games a season in Western Australia next year, North Melbourne’s final Hobart game will be on August 17, ironically against Richmond.
With a state election looming on Saturday, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said in the lead up to a Hawthorn-North Melbourne match at UTas Stadium last month, if re-elected his government would guarantee a minimum of six AFL games a year, including a continuation of the Hawks’ four games in Launceston.
Nick Duigan, Minister for Sports and Events, said on Wednesday: “Stadiums Tasmania was having preliminary conversations with a number of sporting organisations to secure more content for Tasmania.”
North Melbourne had played four games a season in Hobart until this year, when it switched to two games and “sold” the other two to the WA government.
Hart believes Richmond, which set the record attendance for an AFL game in Tasmania (against Hawthorn of 20,971 in 2006), will be better suited as Hobart’s team.
“It makes bloody sense,” Hart said.
“There have been that many Tasmanians play for Richmond over the years and the club has had more supporters than anyone else going right back to the 1960s,” Hart said.
“They proved that when they played in Launceston and had a big crowd up there, and Richmond are having Punt Road redeveloped and could do with a few dollars, so Hobart will be looking very attractive to them.”
As well as Hart, Richmond has had legendary players from Tasmania over the years, such as Ian Stewart, Michael Roach, Matthew Richardson and Jack Riewoldt.
Its current batch of Tassie talent includes captain Toby Nankervis, Rhyan Mansell, Sam Banks and Seth Campbell.
It is understood that AFL clubs need 30,000 people through the gate to break even at Marvel Stadium.
While the Tigers get strong attendances at the MCG, only about 21,000 attend some games at Marvel.
In Hobart, they would earn at least $1m per game, made up of state government contracted “appearance money”, as well as game-day sponsorship, catering, corporate dollars, merchandise and memberships.
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