Macquarie Point Stadium: Build it and they will come, says HOF star, Carlton bruiser Simon Wiggins

One of the toughest Tasmanians ever to pull on an AFL jumper has called on the state’s political decision-makers to get Mac Pt Stadium built and ensure Tassie’s 19th licence is secure – saying “just do it”.

27/07/2008 SPORT: Western Bulldogs vs Carlton at the Telstra Dome. Simon Wiggins celebrates a second qtr goal

ONE of the toughest Tasmanians ever to pull on an AFL jumper has called on the state’s political decision-makers to get Macquarie Point Stadium built and ensure Tassie’s 19th licence is secure.

Former Carlton bruiser Simon Wiggins will be inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in a gala ceremony at Wrest Point on Friday night.

The 116-game 36-goal former Blues defender would have loved his AFL career to have been with a Tasmanian team and now seeks that dream for future generations of Tassie talent.

Wiggins, 40, drafted from the Tassie Mariners (now Devils) in 2000, said the multi-purpose Macquarie Point venue would be the centerpiece of Tasmania’s AFL team and money-generator for the state’s economy.

“It will be fantastic. It would be a destination weekend for every AFL supporter,” Wiggins said.

27/07/2008 SPORT: Western Bulldogs vs Carlton at the Telstra Dome. Simon Wiggins celebrates a second qtr goal

“Everyone would circle that weekend on their calendar and spend the whole week in Tasmania, travel the south of the state and then head up north.

“They will enjoy the food, the wine, the whiskey, everything Tasmania has to offer and it would generate a lot of revenue for the state in terms of tourism dollars.”

To the decision-makers, Wiggins says: “There’s always going to be issues with health and housing, but the big thing about Tasmania is football club enhance community and it will give kids something to aspire to.

“I think it’s time, just do it.”

When Tasmania was officially given its licence on May 3, Wiggins could not have been happier.

Richmond v Carlton. MCG. Simon Wiggins takes a screamer in the third.

“It has been so long coming when we finally got it, I got a bit emotional,” Wiggins said.

“Tasmania misses out on a lot of things, and you almost learn to be excluded when you’re from Tassie and we’ve been like that for a long time.

“When there was a discussion around an AFL team we all got excited but nothing would come of it, and when it became a realization it was a very exciting experience.

“It actually made me think about what my career would have been like to start out with Tasmania and not having to travel away from my friends and family to the mainland to pursue my dreams.”

Wiggins is pumped for the youth of Tasmania, the boys and girls, who now have what he did not, the opportunity to play AFL and AFLW for their home state.

“What a great opportunity for them,” he said.

27/07/2008 SPORT: Western Bulldogs vs Carlton at the Telstra Dome. Simon Wiggins gets chaired off after playing his 100th game

“Tasmania is very community-based and I think everyone will embrace the team.

“Quite often what you find with the big clubs over here in Melbourne is the fans can turn on you a bit at times, but I don’t think that would happen with Tasmania, we’d all be very appreciative of all the players who represent our state.”

Player retention has been a discussion point but Wiggins says big city life is not for everyone.

“In Tassie you can live half an hour or 40 minutes from the city and be in the most beautiful countryside or coastal area with awesome fishing _ it would be magnificent and a great place to play football,” he said.

“Big cities aren’t palatable for everyone. In Melbourne you can drive for an hour and only go 30km whereas in Tasmania drive for an hour and you’re half-way to the other end.

“A lot of players get drafted from country areas like regional Victoria and South Australia.

“Living in a place like Tasmania would be an ideal place to play football and being embraced by the community is something they would enjoy, so player retention shouldn’t be an issue.”