Tassie present 'first-class' bid to AFL

[Hilly]

The AFL is not interested in Tasmania because it is an unloseable "safe seat". They would rather see Tasmanian players (and others) at West Sydney.

I'd be surprised to see any decent draftee's anymore out of tassie over next few years. There is no pathway or development program good enough to develop promising young players. There's no more devils in the VFL and the mariners only play a handful of games.
As for the new statewide league, what a joke that is going to be....

[goswannie14]

The AFL is not interested in Tasmania because it is an unloseable "safe seat". They would rather see Tasmanian players (and others) at West Sydney.

I disagree to a point. I think it is giving the AFL a back up plan if any teams in Melbourne are asking for more hand outs as has been pointed out by CTS.

"Relocate to Tasmania, or wither and die in Victoria"
ie: if no team chooses to relocate, then the AFL will create a new team for Tassie, and all Vic teams have to learn how to survive, or die.

I think to that with another TV deal coming up, the 9 games a week will be a big selling point, hence the AFL will want to keep 18 teams, whether that is by allowing a team to fold and creating a new team in Tassie or relocating a struggling (financially) team to the island state is anyones guess. It will happen, the big question is when?

[dimelb]

The AFL is not interested in Tasmania because it is an unloseable "safe seat". They would rather see Tasmanian players (and others) at West Sydney.

[CureTheSane]

If Hawthorn had any brains, and they don't, they'd stitch up a deal with the AFL now with something along these lines.

5 Home games in Tassie

4 AWAY games in Tassie

9 Home Games at MCG.

4 interstates per year.

Effectively 18 out of 22 games are "Home" games. Do that for 10 years and see how well they do!

Problem with that is that they wouldn't be a true Tasmanian team.
They would be a Melbourne team (Hawthorn) playing half of their games in another state.
Tasmania want their own team.
A relocated team with take around 5 years to truely become a Tasmanian team - until the 'relocated players' have all moved on or retired.

From what was written in the article, it makes for a powerful bargaining chip with for teh AFL.

"Relocate to Tasmania, or wither and die in Victoria"
ie: if no team chooses to relocate, then the AFL will create a new team for Tassie, and all Vic teams have top learn how to survive, or die.

Funny how the 'economic climate' was mantioned in the new item.
A few months ago, this did not exist.
Scary how the AFL's plans appear not to be strong enough to weather what is appearing to be a mild economic downturn.

[goswannie14]

You can't have a compettition that does not have Melbourne in Melbourne

Why?

[AnnieH]

Sounds like Theo Dimwit has got a "get out of gaol free" card from Tassie.
It gives him plenty of room for backing down from the Blacktown Bogans.

[givekidsakick]

Relocating

Richmond aren't in the same position as South Melbourne were. If any Melbourne club were to die, merge or relocate it would be either Melbourne, Western Bulldogs or North Melbourne.

You can't have a compettition that does not have Melbourne in Melbourne... so forget that one. North Melbourne to the Gold Coast sounds good and bulldogs to western sydney might work. Tigers to Tassie...now thats changing the face of football!!!!!

[T-bag]

Richmond aren't in the same position as South Melbourne were. If any Melbourne club were to die, merge or relocate it would be either Melbourne, Western Bulldogs or North Melbourne.

And it's not the VFL anymore. Times have changed. So what.

I don't care who goes down there but someone has to go down there

[reigning premier]

If Hawthorn had any brains, and they don't, they'd stitch up a deal with the AFL now with something along these lines.

5 Home games in Tassie

4 AWAY games in Tassie

9 Home Games at MCG.

4 interstates per year.

Effectively 18 out of 22 games are "Home" games. Do that for 10 years and see how well they do!

[goswannie14]

And Smorgan (WB) and Brayshaw (NM) will do everything to not destroy their club (as they see it). I don't know if I buy the idea that Melbourne cannot support 9 clubs. Sure some will be bigger but with financial innovation clubs like the Bulldogs can survive in that market. Just because they will never be as rich and powerful as Collingwood or Essendon doesn't mean they can't make it in the market.

I grew up in melbourne, North has never had many supporters and (apart from the late 70's) have always struggled on and off field.

Melbourne cannot support 9 teams as the costs increase. It is better for clubs to bite the bullet, rather than be pushed out. Common sense would say North to GC, Western Bulldogs to Western Sydney and Melbourne to Tassie, but we know the AFL doesn't operate that way.

[laughingnome]

If any Melbourne club were to die, merge or relocate it would be either Melbourne, Western Bulldogs or North Melbourne.

And Smorgan (WB) and Brayshaw (NM) will do everything to not destroy their club (as they see it). I don't know if I buy the idea that Melbourne cannot support 9 clubs. Sure some will be bigger but with financial innovation clubs like the Bulldogs can survive in that market. Just because they will never be as rich and powerful as Collingwood or Essendon doesn't mean they can't make it in the market.

[goswannie14]

Richmond aren't in the same position as South Melbourne were. If any Melbourne club were to die, merge or relocate it would be either Melbourne, Western Bulldogs or North Melbourne.

Yep, my understanding is that Richmond is in a reasonable (not great) financial position compared with the others mentioned.

[573v30]

So did most of the sth melbourne supporters when word first got out. so what

Richmond aren't in the same position as South Melbourne were. If any Melbourne club were to die, merge or relocate it would be either Melbourne, Western Bulldogs or North Melbourne.

[T-bag]

The Richmond supporters would riot over such a move.

So did most of the sth melbourne supporters when word first got out. so what

[givekidsakick]

They're a dwindling bunch....

The Richmond supporters would riot over such a move.

The AFL is going to have to bite the bullet...you can't have a successful compettition that centred on Melbourne...too many teams. The Roos have been candidates previously but their woeful song and @@@@head club turned everyone off. It was just a joke like the western sydney team. Better to transport another club to western sydney than create anew. Tigers would be good but better they go to Tassie.