NORTH Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley has hosed down speculation the Roos could drastically increase their presence in Tasmania, saying the club has told the AFL it won't play more than four home games a year on the Apple Isle.
North announced last month it would increase its number of annual games in Hobart from three to four from next season, thereby matching Hawthorn's yearly commitment in Launceston.
Earlier this week, Hawks president Jeff Kennett said he expected the AFL would push his club out of Launceston when its existing contract expired at the end of 2021, so it could install the Kangaroos as the sole team in Tasmania.
Kennett said he thought the AFL's plan was for North to then play seven games a season in Tasmania, three of them in Launceston and four in Hobart.
However, Buckley reiterated on Thursday North would not play more than four home games in Tasmania.
"I have always said and will continue to state Arden St is our home and will always be our home under my leadership," Buckley said.
"We have no appetite to play more than four games in Tasmania and we have made that explicitly clear to the AFL.
"We are committed to growing the game and the development pathways of players in the state, but will not entertain more than four games under my leadership.
"Hawthorn also plays four games in Tasmania and we feel the model works well and the balance is right. We have no desire to change the model as it stands."
Buckley pointed to the recent start of a $10 million revamp of North's Arden St headquarters as proof of its commitment to remain based in Melbourne.
"I am deeply passionate about this club, its heritage and its future," he said.
"We are working incredibly hard to enshrine ourselves at Arden St and construction has begun on our redevelopment.
"In the coming months, our players will have new facilities and resources in the football department and we intend to once again play games at Arden St with our VFL and AFLW sides."
North's contract to play in Hobart runs until the end of 2021.
