Tasmanian AFL team task force member confident state remains in picture for team despite COVID-19 setback
Basketball beat the AFL in the race to get a foothold in Tasmania, but one of the state’s greatest sportsmen believes an NBL franchise can be of help, not hindrance
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TASMANIA’S new NBL franchise can set the example for a potential AFL team to be based in the state, according to task force member Nick Riewoldt.
The former St Kilda captain and AFL great is part of the task force chaired by Brett Godfrey which compiled a 260-page business plan and handed it to the AFL in February on the merits of a team from Tasmania joining the competition.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has cast some big doubt around the feasibility of the push in the next few years, Riewoldt is adamant the work done in the past 12 to 18 months has not been completely derailed by the impact of the virus outbreak sweeping the code.
And while AFL has been beaten by basketball to gain a foothold in a state crying out for more national level representation, Riewoldt is not concerned.
“Only a positive impact, to actually see a professional team exist in Tasmania, in Hobart, the fact the DEC is going to be refurbished, all of these things are great for Tasmania and the Tasmanian people,” Riewoldt said via hook-up in Melbourne on the announcement he is joining forces with George Bailey and Tim Paine in launching fitness franchise Body Fit Training into the state.
“I think that NBL franchise can act as a bit of a pioneer and a bit of an example of what is possible if you get it right.
“I think it can only benefit football.”
The 10th NBL licence has been handed to Tasmania, with a soon to be named team to join the league in the 2021-22 season.
Riewoldt said Tasmania’s AFL task force, which includes former Carlton coach Brendon Bolton, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, James Henderson, Errol Stewart, Julie Kay, Grant O’Brien and Paul Erikkson has not disbanded, but discussions amid COVID-19 had been put on hold.
And while the implications of the virus to a team being established in the state have taken a blow, they are not irreversible.
“Everything is on the table and so I think while there is a going to be a lot of pulling back in terms of the outlay into the game, a lot of that will be tighter, it also opens the door for some thinking around the opportunities.
“Where are the opportunities to grow the game, to increase revenue, to increase viewership?
“Tasmania and a football team down there, that’s been at the forefront of that conversation for the best part of a decade, two decades, three decades.
“It is still an untapped resource, Tassie as football state. I don’t think it hurts, in fact it is probably the opposite.”
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