‘Small steps’ towards our own team, says AFL chief Gillon McLachlan
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan agrees with the Western Bulldogs president that Tasmania deserves its own AFL team – when the opportunity arises.
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AFL boss Gillon McLachlan agrees with Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon that Tasmania deserves its own AFL team and says the building blocks are in place to make it happen when the opportunity arises.
Mr Gordon said he believes the AFL should consider expanding to 19 or 20 teams, and Tasmania should get the first slot.
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Mr McLachlan agreed the state should have its own team, but said it would not be in the next couple of years.
“I’ve said they deserve their own team before, and I think that’s a [popular view], it’s just challenging to get there,” he said. “I think the building blocks [are] in place.”
Speaking in Queensland on Tuesday, Mr McLachlan said it was “small steps” for the state.
“I think what we’ve been talking to them about is a unified ticket or group who want to lead and demand a presence on the national stage,” he said.
“We’ve got a statewide talent program now leading into a team back in the under-18s competition and there’s an aspiration to develop a team in the VFL.
“And if people then, when the leadership comes together to represent the state, put a membership group together and come behind that, I think that’s … [how they will] put real pressure on the AFL from the top.”
Tasmanian Football Board chair Jim Wilkinson welcomed Mr Gordon’s comments.
“He’s seen [the Bulldogs] at the lowest of ebbs, and also seen them after a premiership, so I think he’s in a great place to say whether, economically, you’re able to afford it or not, and it would seem to say, economically, the state can afford it,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“I think it does a lot of good for the cause, and the more support we can get from people like that, the better.
“I strongly believe [momentum is building], there seems to be more of a voice for us in recent times than there has been in the past.”
AFL Tasmania chief executive Trisha Squires said her focus was on strengthening the grassroots of the game and building baseline participation.
“We believe a strong underpinning football community is really important in any push,” Ms Squires said.
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