HAWTHORN is sensing a softening approach from the AFL about Tasmania and a growing recognition of the benefits of having both the Hawks and North Melbourne playing home games there.
Hawthorn president Richard Garvey told AFL.com.au the recent changes to the senior management at AFL Tasmania had led to a greater understanding of the role both clubs play.
"I think having North play three games in Hobart and us four games in the north provides a quality product to the Tasmanian market at a fraction the cost of having a team down here and I don't think there's a great desire (for a standalone team). I think the AFL has come to understand that and not want to change the landscape," he said.
Soon-to-retire AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said last week that one of his regrets was not being able to make Tasmania a one-AFL team state.
"We tried to sort Tassie out and just have one side. That's an example of where we failed," Fitzpatrick said.
Garvey was bullish about the Hawks' undertaking to the Apple Isle.
"We remain absolutely committed to Tasmania. We have invested so much time and effort into Tasmania and we want it to continue," he said.
Hawthorn's partnership with Tasmania involves five games (four home and away, one pre-season) at Launceston's UTAS Stadium and a game development role in the state. Tasmania is also Hawthorn's naming rights sponsor.
North plays three games per season at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.
Garvey said the Hawks had no plans to play any more games in Tasmania and while 2017 marks the first of a new, five-year agreement, he expressed confidence that any future Tasmanian government – of whichever stripe – will want the agreement to continue well into the future.
"What people forget is how many people we and the opposition club bring to the economy of northern Tasmania. It's about 4,000 per game.
"That's a real benefit to Tasmania and the research has shown that the sponsorship is worth every dollar to Tasmania in terms of exposure, leaving aside the fact we play games there," he said.
Garvey also addressed Hawthorn's links to the gaming industry, with revenue from its venues at Waverley Gardens and WestWaters Hotel at Caroline Springs making significant contributions to Hawthorn's annual profits.
In 2017 the Hawks recorded a profit of $2.57 million.
"Without those venues we would struggle to make a profit, and we're no different to any other Victorian team who are dependent on them to supplement their income," Garvey said.
"The AFL doesn't give us enough income, particularly while they're redistributing money to the expansion clubs and the more needy clubs, which is fine."
Garvey has heard the disquiet in the community on gaming revenue, but said it was an issue larger than any one club.
"The football world has to come to terms with what it would look like if we didn't have that revenue. I know there's a lot of commentary about this, but those profits go back into our football club and our community programs and we're no different to other clubs," he said.
"One thing our club is really strong on is financial independence and governance. It has underpinned the success of this club since 1996 when we were almost out the door. We don't want to go back there.
In a wide-ranging interview with AFL.com.au, Garvey, who had the 'interim' title removed from his presidency last December, also discussed several other key issues facing the Hawks. These included:
- How the club will finance the move to its new facility in Dingley and the future of Waverley Park.
- Stuart Fox's departure as chief executive and whether the AFL's general manager of football, Mark Evans, has already declined the opportunity to be his replacement.
- How the club manages headstrong senior coach Alastair Clarkson.
- The controversial departures last October of Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis.
- Plans for a Hawthorn AFLW team.
- His journey from keen Essendon supporter to the presidency of Hawthorn.
