Hobart is home, but North happy to step into enemy territory if required
The Roos have made Blundstone Arena their fortress over the years, but club chief executive Ben Amarfio has no issues with hosting games in Launceston.
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NORTH Melbourne would have no issues stepping onto Tasmanian enemy territory and using UTAS Stadium as a “home” venue if it allowed the club to play games in the state.
The Roos rule southern Tasmania at their Blundstone Arena fortress, while Hawthorn has been the long-term tenant in Launceston.
However North CEO Ben Amarfio would happily play at UTAS if it paved the way for the club to meet its obligations of staging four matches in Tasmania.
Last week Premier Peter Gutwein offered Launceston as a potential hub to the AFL, prior to the league moving away from that model in preference for teams to fly in, fly out of venues.
He also declared he was in no rush to have contests unfold in empty stadiums.
Despite this, both Hawks president Jeff Kennett and Amarfio said they will forge ahead in their attempts to play in Tasmania.
“We would be happy to play wherever is suitable. Our preference is Blundstone, because all of our signage is set up there and we’ve got a great track record there and our boys are very comfortable with it, so we just love it,” Amarfio said.
“It’s our second home, so that’s our preference.
“But if it was unavailable for whatever reason, then we would happily play anywhere in Tasmania.”
The Roos, who are armed with an imposing 16-6 record in Hobart, have won two of their seven clashes with the Hawks in Launceston.
However, speaking on Wednesday, Gutwein again cast further doubt on AFL action unfolding in Tasmania in 2020.
“Under our exemptions it would be very difficult for AFL teams to fly into Tasmania,” he said.
“My view, and I will be having further discussions with public health this afternoon, is we simply won’t be able to accommodate the AFL under our current border restrictions.
“[They are] border restrictions which I believe in large part, have ensured we can get to the point today where we are able to start talking about gradually opening up our economy.
“I don’t think any Tasmanian would want me to risk that.”
MORE: BLUNDSTONE OPERATORS IN THE DARK
Amarfio also said his club would be able to weather the storm of the coronavirus crisis and absorb any economic hit.
The financial impact on all 18 clubs will be severe, with football departments to be slashed in an effort to save costs.
“We’re very confident that we’ll be fine. We’re one of the assisted clubs under the new AFL financial scheme, one of 12 assisted clubs,” Amarfio said.
“So when it gets to that point in time, when we need to draw on that money, we will draw on that money from the AFL and that’ll just accrue as debt, which we’re fine and comfortable with.
“We’re fortunate that we’re in a position that we’re carrying very little debt at the moment so we actually have the capacity to take on quite a bit of debt.”
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