Tasmanian footy fans gearing up for impending AFL team announcement

Following the news the federal government is set to inject $240m into the Macquarie Point stadium and urban redevelopment, local footy fans are excited by what comes next.

Lauderdale Football Club financial director Zac Rossiter, volunteers Aura Rossiter, 6, and Georgia Brown. Picture: Chris Kidd

Like the smell of a meat pie at the footy, our own Tasmanian AFL team is so close we can taste it.

Following the announcement on Saturday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the federal government was putting a $240m contribution into the $715m Macquarie Point stadium and urban redevelopment, giving it the green light following months of uncertainty, local footy fans have been buzzing with the impending announcement of the state being granted a 19th AFL license.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Hobart in relation to funding for a stadium at Macquarie Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

With AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan expected to visit Hobart as early as Tuesday to make that long awaited dream finally a reality, there was plenty of buzz in the air at SkyBus Oval for Sunday’s Tasmanian State League game between Lauderdale and Kingborough.

As the cars started to line the fence line and the hungry fans made their way to the canteen, one could overhear a number of conversations that eventually made mention of Saturday’s announcement.

One canteen worker who interacted with those brimming with excitement was Lauderdale Football Club Financial Director Zac Rossiter who said you only had to look at the success of the Tasmania JackJumpers to see what an elite level AFL side would do for football in the state.

Lauderdale Football Club volunteers Georgia Brown, Aura Rossiter, 6, and financial director Zac Rossiter. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I’m really excited,” Mr Rossiter said.

“It’s going to be great for the local community and the whole of Tasmania to come together and have one team we can all get behind and support.

“You can see the impact the JackJumpers have had with kids playing basketball and that’s what the Tasmanian AFL team will do for football. From the grassroots up, it’s going to have an effect.”

For young Aura Rossiter, 6, her face lights up at the prospect of playing for a female Tassie team.

“That would be great,” she said.

With the AFL set to inject about $360m over the next 10 years into grassroots football across Tasmania should a 19th license be granted by the AFL Commission, Mr Rossiter said football clubs from all corners of the state would reap the benefits.

“It will do so much for that next generation coming through,” Mr Rossiter said.

And while there has been much debate around the construction of a new multipurpose stadium in the heart of the CBD, Mr Rossiter believed it would be seen as a major hit given its proximity to Hobart’s pubs, restaurants and accommodation.