AFL boss confirms Tasmania in line for games later in season with four teams to fly in

AFL boss Gill McLachlan has confirmed Tasmania is well in the running to host some big games this coronavirus-hit season. WHEN AND WHICH TEAMS MAY BE COMING >>

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BRISBANE coach Chris Fagan is a heartbeat away from a special home-coming, with his Lions touted to play North Melbourne in Tasmania in the final round of the AFL’s home-and-away season on September 17-20, and Gold Coast Suns to come here to play Hawthorn.

The Lions and Suns have been kept safe in Queensland as Victoria was hit by a second outbreak of coronavirus and NSW now shows signs of a second wave.

If Premier Peter Gutwein gets the all-clear to increase social distancing restrictions beyond the current 500 people for outdoor events, AFL games are almost certain to be played in the state.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan confirmed Tasmania was in the running, on top of hubs in Sydney, Queensland and Perth.

Lions head coach Chris Fagan speaks to players at three quarter time during the round 6 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at Sydney Cricket Ground. Picture: MATT KING/AFL PHOTOS/VIA GETTY IMAGES

“It doesn’t rule out us playing games in Northern Territory or Tasmania so we will continue to have conversations with those governments,” McLachlan said.

“I want to be clear about that — we want to be able to, under the right circumstances and with agreement from those governments, fulfil agreements in those states and we are in ongoing discussions.”

Tasmania’s Minister for Sport, Jane Howlett, said moves were afoot behind the scenes.

“It is a moving feast and things are changing on a daily basis,” she said.

“Discussions are occurring with the Premier regularly.”

Hawthorn’s major sponsor is the Tasmanian taxpayer.

It creates brand awareness by wearing “Tasmania” on playing and training gear, and backdrop signage whenever players or coaches give media conferences.

Ms Howlett said it was unclear if that was enough for Hawthorn to earn all or part of its Tasmanian money.

“It is really difficult because we didn’t think we would ever be in this situation with a global pandemic that we are currently facing — I would like to see eventually games being played here in Tasmania,” she said.