AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan reveals timeline to decision on Tasmanian team

The AFL Commission is preparing to meet in Perth ahead of the grand final – and Tasmania’s bid for its own team in the league is firmly on the agenda.

THE AFL has declared it will have a definite position on a Tasmanian licence by August next year as it prepares to talk to clubs on Monday about the new timeline.

On the day the Sunday Tasmanian revealed Alastair Clarkson would be a driving force for Tasmania’s push for a 19th licence, the AFL Commission will meet on Monday in Perth with the state’s bid for its own team firmly on the agenda.

It was revealed on Sunday that, contrary to popular belief that a two-thirds majority was required for a new licence to be approved, as few as seven clubs would actually need to vote in favour of Tasmania receiving the league’s 19th licence for it to be approved under the AFL’s rules.

The AFL’s Commission will meet on Monday in Perth with Tasmania’s bid for its own team firmly on the agenda. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said ahead of the meeting of club presidents that the league would put a decision to them by July or August next year.

“The (Tasmanian) discussion will pick up post the grand final. The framework has been laid out,” he said.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“The alternatives are a new licence, a hybrid mode, or a relocation. I think people will feel pretty comfortable there are not any clubs putting their hands up to relocate so it’s a race in two.

“A critical part is what it looks like for the Tasmanian government and the commerciality and clearly it’s in working out if it’s feasible. We have a meeting on Monday with club presidents and it will come up there and that will frame up our discussions with the state government.

“The commitment is that we make a decision in line with the club funding model, which means probably by July or August next year is when a decision will be rolled out.”

Tassie footy fans are delighted with the progress of the state’s AFL bid and believe that the state’s new advocate – four-time premiership coach Clarkson – could be the man to get the state its long-awaited AFL side.

Garry and Melissa Barwick with their sons Benjamin and Campbell at North Hobart Oval. The family are big advocates for Tasmania having its own AFL team.

Local diehard Hawthorn supporter Garry Barwick said he and his family were hopeful Tasmania would finally get a side in the national competition and believed Clarkson could be the man to help that happen.

“I’m sure they’ll listen to Alistair Clarkson based on his achievements so if he’s in support then that’s very good for Tasmania and hopefully he can help us get the result we are all after,” Mr Barwick said.

“If Clarkson could put his hand up to coach the Tassie team, too, then that would be nice,” he joked.

Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson. Picture: Getty

Mr Barwick has two sons and a daughter that play football in Hobart and said having a Tasmanian AFL team would be a great goal for young Tassie footy players to aspire to.

“With the way football is in the state at the moment we need that pathway for our young talent to be able to strive towards and I strongly believe an AFL team would be the best thing for Tasmania.”

Mr Barwick said with only seven clubs required to vote in favour of the new licence, he was hopeful Tassie would soon be in the big league.

“I’d like to think that at least seven clubs would say yes and I can’t think of many reasons why they’d vote against it, but ultimately it’s up to the AFL and their appetite to put funding towards a Tassie-based AFL team.”