Tassie AFL Taskforce boss’s big dream to deliver the state’s AFL team

Tasmanian AFL Taskforce chair Brett Godfrey is thinking outside the square in his quest to land the state a team. See their latest idea.

The push continues for Tasmania to get its own AFL team. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A TASMANIAN “Super Stadium” capable of wowing the AFL is one left-field consideration being explored by the state’s AFL Taskforce.

The stadium could conceivably be home to Tasmanian AFL, NBL and A-League teams and also include a high performance centre for all three sports.

Being able to share administrative resources would help the budget case, but it is the idea — and AFL Taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey stresses it is only an early idea at this stage — of a mega centre could be a deciding factor in Tasmania landing an AFL licence.

He believes such a centre would not only create an undeniable push, but also a state of the art stadium and high performance facility could help dispel any arguments over player retention.

“Our job is to assess the opportunity and if possible find solutions to any hurdles that prevent a business case supporting a sustainable licence, however that on its own might not be enough,” Mr Godfrey said.

“It is therefore incumbent upon us to seek positive leverage with the AFL. This concept could add value to the league and hence tick that box, but it can’t be the only idea we work on to help add that value to the AFL and our case.

“There are in our view many aspects to being able to attract and retain players but in our discussions with the other clubs, player facilities sit close or at the top rung and this would remove another hurdle.”

Premier Will Hodgman and members of his Cabinet discussed the concept with Mr Godfrey this week, and then with Opposition Leader Rebecca White and Greens leader Cassy O’Connor.

From left, Opposition Leader Rebecca White, AFL Taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey, Premier Will Hodgman and Greens leader Cassy O’Connor. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The concept does have precedent in a regional centre smaller than Tasmania.

National Rugby League team the North Queensland Cowboys secured a $250 million federal and Queensland government grant prior to the last federal election for Townsville, with a population of 178,000.

The AFL Taskforce will need to find a similar amount of Federal funding for a Tasmanian stadium, if this concept is to progress.

Ideally it would be based somewhere like Macquarie Point, but Mr Godfrey would not be drawn at this stage as to a recommended location.

“Good on Townsville, fantastic,” he said.

“That’s a great outcome. But are we any less deserving of our own ability to play in a national league?

“We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t upturn every possible opportunity that would help expedite and cement a case.”

The idea of sharing facilities and administrative costs could save a Tasmanian AFL team as much as $2 to $3 million a year and the idea has been raised with NBL owner Larry Kestelman.

But he said this would not be the factor that lands the state a long-awaited AFL licence.

“For us the bigger ticket item is to be able to go to the AFL with performance and playing facilities that are the equal of any club in the AFL or any state,” Mr Godfrey said.

While Mr Godfrey has been talking to Government, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has been writing to all Hawks members about the state’s Taskforce, and said its recommendations would have a big bearing on the club’s future in Tasmania.

“Your CEO Justin Reeves and I have met with the inquiry [the Taskforce] and are co-operating with them in their endeavours,” Mr Kennett wrote.

“We will better be able to consider our future options in Tasmania once that committee reports.

“I just hope whatever its recommendations, that is the end of the debate.

“The endless ongoing discussions are debilitating and takes everybody’s focus off getting on with the issues we are charged to address.”