NORTH Melbourne CEO Carl Dilena has slammed a report suggesting that a new proposal to bring AFL football to Ballarat could lure the Roos away from Hobart.
News Ltd reported on Tuesday that the Victorian Opposition's $31.5 million pledge to develop Ballarat's Eureka Stadium could have "major implications" for North's deal to play home games in Hobart, with the Roos open to playing in the regional centre.
But North has consistently said in recent years it could juggle home games in Hobart and Ballarat if AFL football expanded into country Victoria.
Dilena reiterated that position when he spoke with AFL.com.au on Tuesday.
"In recent years we've had a clear two-pronged new market strategy, really engaging with the Ballarat region, which we've done for six years, and playing games in Hobart over the past three years," Dilena said.
"So I think from our perspective the headline in the article ("Cash splash at Ballarat Stadium could lure North Melbourne away from Hobart's Blundstone Arena") is inaccurate, it's inflammatory and it's disappointing.
"I think it shows a lack of understanding of our strategy and a lack of understanding about our commitment to Hobart.
"We think AFL in the Ballarat region would be fantastic for the area and, if that's the direction the AFL wants to go with a regional stadium, it probably fits us as a smaller-based club to explore those options – we don't shy away from that.
"But it's not to the exclusion of Hobart, it's not about choosing one or the other."
North's three-year contract to play two games a year at Blundstone Arena expires at the end of this season.
Dilena said the Roos expected to start talks on extending its stay in Hobart within the next two months, reiterating the club's interest in extending the commitment to three games a season.
The North boss said the club's first two years in Hobart had been very successful.
"It's been excellent. We've had great support down there from the public and all of the key stakeholders," he said.
"They're very supportive of AFL football, the relationships across the board are working really well, so we're really keen to engage in some discussions over the next month about what the future looks like in Hobart for 2015 and beyond."
North previously looked set to bring AFL football to Ballarat when the previous Labor Government pledged $25 million to redevelop Eureka Stadium ahead of the 2010 state election.
But that proposal fell through when the ALP was defeated at the polls and the new Liberal government chose not to commit to the ground.
The current Labor opposition party’s proposed redevelopment will only go ahead if it wins November's state election.
North has been open about exploring both the Tasmanian and Ballarat markets since it signed its deal to play in Hobart in August 2011.
Dilena told AFL.com.au in February last year that North could eventually split its home games between Melbourne, Hobart and Ballarat.
"I think that's definitely an option. It's something we've considered before as a model going forward," Dilena said.
"We're at the mercy of the AFL fixture with all that, but we see the capacity to spread some games in Hobart and Ballarat as no problem at all."
