Well, we continue to live the dream!
A good performance by the boys in Tasmania. Some wonderful individual performances, but of course individuals never win games or Grand Finals, teams of individuals do, and yesterday the team of players and coaches, on and off field played well.
But stay focused. We still have an almighty task ahead of us. With only six games to go we need to win games just to secure a place in the eight. Should we secure a place in the finals then we will face a very tough run of four games to secure our 11th Premiership.
Possible, but as difficult task as one can imagine. But as I say today the dream remains alive, and we focus on St Kilda this Friday night at Etihad Stadium.
Sadly, it is not a ticketed game, but I would still call on all members to make the effort to attend, to display the strength of the mighty Brown and Gold and vocally support the team. They always do better when riding on a sea of vocal support.
Another great visit to Tassie and a huge turnout for the fifth quarter, being the After Match function at Victoria Hall. I am always amazed at how many members at this function have come down from the mainland for the match. This time I met people from Sydney, Albury and Perth. Not a bad effort.
Many interstaters had arrived a few days early, and some intended to stay a few days later for a holiday.
All great news for the Tasmanian economy.
More is being said about others teams moving to Tasmania to play games, this time in Hobart.
In particular James Brayshaw has said North Melbourne is looking seriously at the option. That is fine, we are not opposed to one or two more Victorian Clubs playing some games in Tassie.
But a few facts need to be stated.
- Any more games played in Tassie is not the gift of the Tasmanian Government, or any interested Club. The decision is solely the call of the AFL.
- AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, has publicly stated that no games will be played at Bellerive Oval in Hobart until the ground can hold 20,000 attendees. I assume that is in stands comparable with those available at other AFL grounds. Such a development will take some years and cost around $100m, maybe more. Currently Hawthorn is averaging 17,000 attendees at a game and this is partly a function of the teams the AFL nominate as our competitors in Tassie.
- The Government of Tasmania would have to change a long standing policy supported by both sides of Parliament, which has cricket being played at Bellerive and football at Aurora Stadium.
- Provision for cricket requirements would have to be addressed, for at present cricket’s year ends after the start of the football season. But with cooperation it could be done. By the way, the state of Tassie cricket, as seen by the number of Tasmanians in the National side, has never been better.
- No doubt any new team to Tasmania would only come if paid by the Tasmanian Government or the AFL. I am not sure such financial support has been agreed to as yet.
- My last point is my most serious. Any new team to Tassie, if to be paid by the Tasmanian Government, must have the desire and capacity to put into the Tasmanian community.
Hawthorn's presence is not just about playing football.
We are the Tassie Hawks! We are heavy promoters of Tasmania on the mainland.
We bring tens of thousands of visitors to Tasmania each year, we are heavily entrenched in the community through a range of activities.
Tasmania, I have always argued, is not a dumping ground for football teams.
Tasmanians are proud of their football and want to be associated with organisations that are equally proud and who are prepared to put something back into Tasmania.
In short, I cannot see another team playing matches in Tassie, in Hobart, for some years.
If it does happen good luck to all involved.
Jeff Kennett
President
