While there have been whispers of a Tasmanian team being added to the AFL since the competition stretched beyond Victorian borders, the prospect of two new licences going north to the Gold Coast and western Sydney has encouraged action from the Apple Isle.
On Wednesday, the state’s premier Paul Lennon took his case for a government-backed team straight to AFL House, where he met with League chief executive Andrew Demetriou to discuss the idea at length.
Though the AFL reiterated its commitment to its existing expansion plans, Premier Lennon has made it clear that Tasmania won’t be so easily rebuffed - insisting a submission for inclusion will carry the hope that expansion isn't limited to the locations mooted in recent months.
“We can’t have a national competition without one of the states in the federation being represented or not even being given a chance to put its case to be represented in the competition,” Premier Lennon said.
“I was very pleased with the meeting today ... and we will continue to talk to the AFL during the preparation and presentation of our submission.
“We want people to get behind Tasmania’s bid.”
While questions over the idea of a Tasmanian team continue to linger – population, competitiveness and funding being the obvious three, Premier Lennon said it was time to look past such arguments.
“If population is the criteria, why is it that in the past four years, Tasmania has won three national cricket titles?” he said.
“We’ve demonstrated that we can cut it with the best - that’s the best domestic cricket competition in the world - and we’ve finished runner-up in the Pura Cup twice. We have a culture of sport, and of playing sport well.
“I believe very strongly that we will be able to demonstrate financial sustainability for a team in Tasmania, and we have a very good venue [Aurora Stadium] ... with the best surface in the country.”
Premier Lennon said the move had the full support of Hawthorn, which currently plays two matches in Launceston each year.
“In no way do we want anyone to believe that we’re not happy with the Hawthorn arrangement, because we’re very happy,” he said.
“But the time has come for Tasmania to put its case to the AFL for full-time inclusion to the competition.”
However, it wasn’t just politicians pleading the case, with Hawthorn legend Peter Hudson and highly respected broadcaster Tim Lane echoing the premier's sentiments.
Lane said it was the right time to pursue a team in his home state, adding the support given to cricket in recent decades and the subsequent success stories could be replicated in the AFL.
“Tasmanians are incredibly passionate and involved in AFL football,” he said.
“The development of the national league has nurtured football in South Australia and West Australia and Tasmania has suffered chronically from exclusion, and its level of performance and productivity has fallen through the floor.
“The cricket story in the past 30 years ... has provided exactly the opposite outcome, in that Tasmania has been included in the national competition.”
Tasmania's other high profile representatives to have played at VFL/AFL level include Ian Stewart, Darrell Baldock, Royce Hart, Rodney Eade, Alastair Lynch and current Tiger Matthew Richardson.
