Tigers boss Brendon Gale says now more than ever emotion must be taken out of Tasmania’s AFL push
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale continues to back Tasmania’s AFL push, but says now more than ever emotion must be taken out of the argument.
AFL
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TASMANIA’S AFL campaign must be devoid of emotion and based purely on finance in the wake of the coronavirus crisis says Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale.
Gale, originally recruited from Burnie before his career first as a 244-game player with the Tigers and eventual dual-premiership winning CEO, is a firm backer of the state’s push.
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However, Gale as the Tigers’ boss is now at the coalface of a predicament the league is facing given the financial implications of a suspended season.
Gale was asked about the state’s campaign and the impact of coronavirus on it on Fox Footy Live.
“I’m a supporter of Tasmania, I believe they have a legitimate right to have a team,” Gale said.
“I guess I’ve probably overlooked some of the financial factors in that discussion, (and focused on) more of an emotional one.
“I think they’ve got a legitimate right.
“For a national competition it would be great to have every state represented, particularly such a rich state in terms of producing footballers.
“But the reality is money does matter now.
“It is about finance and about economics and about sustainability and so that needs to be taken into account.”
Earlier this week, Tasmanian AFL Taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey told the Mercury the business case still stacked up as it was prepared for a 2025 start.
The case said a Tasmanian taxpayer investment of between $7.3 million (most likely) and $11 million (worst case) a year into a team would return $110 million of economic stimulus and create 360 jobs.
He believed the AFL would be back up and running at full capacity by then and said the Taskforce was willing to wait out the current predicament before addressing the campaign with the AFL again.
“The AFL, along with all Australian professional football codes, are dealing with the inherent risk of survival, in a near zero revenue environment,” Godfrey said.
“A 19th Tasmanian team is not, nor should it be, the priority of the game right now.
“The Taskforce, however, has not gone away, but given we are seeking a 2025 outcome we are not a priority nor need to be a distraction.
“The AFL leadership is clearly focused on stabilising and protecting the existing membership today.
“Make no mistake, while being patient today, once the dust has settled we will be back at ‘the door’ promoting Tasmania’s credentials for inclusion.”
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