Historic AFL double-header on the table for Tasmania as Bombers come into view
One of Victoria’s biggest clubs could be heading to the state for a showdown with a fierce rival as part of a Tasmanian-AFL double-header first. LATEST >>
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- Green light for North Melbourne to play Giants at Blundstone
- Time for Tassie to step up and host a festival of footy during Victorian lockdown
TASMANIA is deep in discussions for a historic AFL double header that would also see Essendon heading south for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Premier Peter Gutwein said talks were ongoing with the league, Hawthorn and North Melbourne for the following weekend to see the Roos host Brisbane at Blundstone Arena on the Saturday (June 19) and the Hawks take on fierce rival Essendon at University of Tasmania Stadium the next day (June 20).
It would be the first time Tasmania has hosted two AFL games on the same weekend.
Mr Gutwein said ultimately the decision would be made by Victoria’s Public Health in regards to how many, if any, people can attend games in Melbourne next week.
“Constructive and positive discussions are being held with the AFL, North Melbourne and Hawthorn in relation to the possibility of games being shifted from Melbourne to Tasmania on the following weekend,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Obviously in terms of Melbourne it is not clear at the moment whether they will be able to have crowds on Saturday and Sunday week in Melbourne so we are working with the AFL and those clubs at the moment.”
Tasmania’s current contract, set to expire this year, is worth more than $8 million combined to the Hawks and the Roos in return for four games in both Hobart and Launceston.
Mr Gutwein said whether Tasmania would have to pay extra for the games, or games scheduled in the state later in the year would be returned to Victoria remains unknown.
“These are matters currently being discussed with the AFL and Hawthorn and North Melbourne,” he said.
“However our strong desire is that these games would be additional to the current eight games already scheduled.”
He said the Victorian Government would make a ruling on outdoor gatherings soon and the league would make a decision in coming days or by early next week at the latest.
“I wouldn’t wish ill upon any other jurisdiction but to be quite frank I would very much like to see those games played here,” he said.
It would be Brisbane’s first ever game in Hobart, while for Essendon it would be its first game in the state for premiership points since it defeated Fitzroy in a three-point thriller at North Hobart Oval in round 17, 1992.
It would see Hobart host North Melbourne for three consecutive weeks, with the Roos taking on the Giants this Sunday, followed by the Lions the following Saturday, and then the already scheduled clash with the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday, June 26.
Hawthorn confirmed talks are ongoing but did not wish to comment.
Green light for North Melbourne to play Giants at Blundstone
THE green light for North Melbourne to play Greater Western Sydney at Blundstone on Sunday might be the catalyst for a triple treat for Kangaroos fans in Hobart.
With Melbourne still returning positive Covid-19 cases and slowly opening from lockdown, North Melbourne may be granted three consecutive game in Hobart.
It would start with the Giants this weekend, followed by Brisbane and then the Gold Coast over the following two weekends.
North Melbourne CEO, Ben Amarfio would not comment on that outcome, but said the club was delighted to get the show on the road this weekend.
“This is a fantastic result and we look forward to returning to Tasmania to play this match in front of our members and supporters,” Amarfio said.
“We are very appreciative of the understanding and support from the Tasmanian authorities and will abide by the set protocols.”
State Health laid down the law to North Melbourne, which accepted numerous non-negotiable conditions, including:
1. Produce a negative COVID-19 test result on the days prior to travelling to Tasmania, and undertake further testing two days after the match.
2 Avoid Victorian Tier 1 or Tier 2 public exposure sites.
3 Travel directly from Victoria to Tasmania and return on the same day via private charter.
4 Be transported directly between the airport and Blundstone Arena and back on a bus organised by the TAS COVID-19 Coordination Centre.
5 Wear face masks at all times except when eating, training and playing.
6 Practice social distancing at all times between the Victorian travelling party and on-ground staff.
7 All training preparations undertaken at Blundstone Arena and all members of the Victorian travelling group must remain within official non-public areas.
8 No direct interaction with spectators, people not directly involved in the conduct of the game or media.
“We know we have a huge responsibility to the wider community to do everything possible to ensure their safety, and a responsibility to make sure the games can continue, so this is a great result for everyone,” Amarfio said.
“Our players and football staff have been living under strict restrictions which include working within a bubble and regular testing, minimising risk where possible.”
It will be North’s second appearance at Blundstone Arena this season, having challenged ladder lead Melbourne there in round seven.
“We are thrilled with the outcome for our Tassie members and all football fans in the state and look forward to the game,” Amarfio said.
“We understand it’s a delicate situation to navigate but ultimately we have been able to achieve the best possible outcome thanks to the Tasmanian Government and we can’t wait to play in front of our fans again.”
AFL Executive General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld reinforced the priority of the AFL continues to be the safety and wellbeing of the community and said the league would continue to make the relevant changes to ensure that remains the priority.
“On behalf of the AFL I would like to thank all respective State Governments, each Club, players, the AFLPA, umpires, broadcast partners, venues and all football fans for their continued patience and understanding as we all continue to navigate through the pandemic,” Mr Auld said.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in the community with the fixture, at this stage, remaining a week-to-week proposition.
“We thank everyone in the game for their patience and understanding as we worked through finalising arrangements for Round 13.”
Premier says Tasmania could host more AFL games and a hub
TASMANIA has offered to come to the AFL’s rescue by hosting more games and even a hub as the league scrambles to schedule games through Victoria’s coronavirus lockdown.
Premier Peter Gutwein told AFL boss Gill McLachlan on Friday he could pave the way for the state to increase its share of AFL action and host teams within the state.
Mr Gutwein said North Melbourne’s clash with Greater Western Sydney at Blundstone Arena tomorrow-week would only go ahead if Melbourne’s Covid-19 crisis does not deepen and Tasmania’s Deputy State Controller Scott Tilyard believes it is safe to stage the game.
The Kangaroos and Giants would be flown on chartered flights into Hobart, transported to and from the oval, play their round 13 game, never having contact with the public.
Tasmania has four other AFL games scheduled this season _ Hawthorn v Fremantle (round 17) and Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs (round 22) in Launceston, and North Melbourne v Gold Coast (round 15) and North Melbourne v Geelong (round 20) in Hobart.
The Premier is prepared to up the ante as he spoke to McLachlan.
“We are open to the possibility – as I have expressed to Gill McLachlan – of hosting more AFL games in Tasmania or an AFL hub if the situation demands,” Mr Gutwein said.
“That would be if the situation in Victoria was to be extended or to worsen.
“I have let the AFL know this.”
Two scenarios are in play.
“One is, if Victoria comes out of this next week as they are planning to, I would largely expect AFL in Victoria to go back to normal,” Mr Gutwein said.
“But if restrictions remain in place for longer then I’d expect there would be an opportunity for Tasmania to put on additional games.”
Public safety comes above all else.
“We won’t do anything to put Tasmanians at risk and we will only act on Public Health advice at all times,” Mr Gutwein said.
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire challenged Tasmania to step up in hosting AFL games as a way of proving it was worthy of an AFL license.
Mr Gutwein did not buy into this “commentary”.
Tasmanian Jackson Callow snapped up in AFL Mid-Season Draft
TASMANIAN teenager Jackson Callow will start life as an AFL player as soon as he can get into Victoria after Hawthorn snapped him up in the AFL Mid-Season Draft.
After being overlooked in last year’s AFL National Draft, the Hawks said hello Callow with pick 17 in the mid-year draft, while another Tasmanian hot chance Oliver Davis missed out.
After playing in the TSL grand final for North Launceston in October, Callow moved to Adelaide to play for Norwood in the SANFL this season to try to get noticed by AFL recruiters.
A North Launceston premiership forward, Callow did a two-week pre-season trial at Hawthorn in February.
After impressing the Hawks but not enough to get listed, the 195cm key forward went back to Norwood.
He built on his reputation as a strong-marking, aggressive forward by becoming the SANFL’s No.1 contested mark.
The Hawks used their second selection to secure him.
He will join the club when Covid-19 restrictions ease enough to allow him into Melbourne.
When contacted last night, Callow, 18, said his phone had run hot after he was named by the Hawks and he would say more about his exciting opportunity on Thursday.
North Launceston coach Brad Cox-Goodyer, who captained the Bombers’ 2019 premiership team with Callow at full-forward, said the opportunity was well-deserved.
“It’s great that his determination has gotten him to where he wants to be and probably where he deserves to be,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“He’s ultra-competitive. He’s not afraid to throw his weight around. He’s an exceptional contested mark and solid set shot at goal.
“He’s gone over to Adelaide and put in the work, dropped a few kegs [kilos] and been able to play against some ex-AFL players in the SANFL and having a preseason at Hawthorn obviously held him in good stead.
“Hopefully he can get a game this year.”
Hawthorn’s next game in Tasmania is a round 17 clash with Fremantle, which gives Callow the chance to play his first AFL game on home soil at his home ground.
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