Tasmania officially gets its own AFL team – but one major part of the move is still a mystery
Tasmania is finally getting its own side in the AFL after being formally awarded the league’s 19th license from CEO Gillon McLachlan.
The state, which has pushed for inclusion in the national league for decades, crossed the line with the recent finalization of funding for a new Hobart stadium – the AFL’s latest sticking point.
Tasmania’s men’s team is expected to enter the AFL competition in 2028, while work is underway on the timeline for a women’s team to enter the AFLW, but it remains up in the air.
“Today is about the AFL continuing to live up to our goal of moving the game forward so that everyone can share in their heritage and their potential,” McLachlan said Wednesday.
Pictured left to right: Tasmanian Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan step into North Hobart Oval for the historic announcement of the league’s 19th club
As the Tassie men’s team debuts in 2028, the start date for the state’s AFLW side remains a mystery (pictured, a Tasmanian footballer leads junior players to the oval for the announcement on Wednesday)
“Everyone – and today we close the circle.
“Today is about recognizing that Tasmania belongs in our AFL and AFLW leagues, belongs in the national football conversation and belongs in the national game.”
The license was unanimously supported by the 18 existing club presidents on Tuesday and promptly signed by the league committee.
Hobart’s proposed new stadium and its design – particularly whether it would have a roof – were sticking points.
McLachlan said a roof was part of the agreement signed with the state government Wednesday morning.
“We have signed binding commitments with the Tasmanian government committing to meet those conditions, including working with the federal government for a 23,000-seat covered stadium at Macquarie Point,” McLachlan said.
Securing funding for a new stadium in Hobart (artist’s impression, pictured) was one of the final hurdles for the Apple Isle to eventually be included in the league – and McLachlan said having a roof on the new ground was part of the agreement with the state government
The name of the new club hangs in the air with the fans’ favorite choice, the Tasmanian Devils, getting into trouble as it is trademarked by Warner Brothers
Tasmanian Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the island nation will ‘never be the same’.
“This is a proud and groundbreaking moment in our history,” he said.
After more than a century, the AFL will finally be complete and recognized as a true national league.
“We fought hard to deliver this and I couldn’t be more proud to deliver our own team, who will take to the pitch in our own colors and sing our own song.
“To everyone who supported and believed in us – thank you for sticking with us as we brought this home.
“Tasmania’s time has come.”
He posted a photo on Twitter of the historic moment when the agreement with McLachlan was signed, accompanied by the words: ‘Games will be played in the North, South and North West to ensure this is a true Tasmanian team. I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
Rockliff made an embarrassing mistake when he appeared on TV to discuss the announcement and called McLachlan “Gillion.”
History in the Making: The moment Rockliff and McLachlan signed on for the Apple Isle team
May 3 holds an important place in Tasmania’s football history.
Born in Richmond from Devonport, Matthew Richardson played his last game on the date, while Ian Stewart reached 100 games and Peter Hudson scored 16 goals in a VFL game.
The federal government announced on Saturday that it would contribute $240 million to Hobart’s controversial $715 million stadium project at Macquarie Point.
Tasmania becomes the first expansion team since GWS was licensed in 2010 and joined the AFL in 2012.
Unlike the Giants and Gold Coast, the AFL’s last two signings, the Tasmanian team will be born in one of the core areas of Australian football.
The last AFL game played in Tasmania saw the Hawks clash with Adelaide at the Anzac Round (pictured) – and the Prime Minister has promised the new side will play in the north, south and northwest of the state
Richardson, Stewart and Hudson are among the island nation’s most famous footballers and they all had to move to the mainland for their careers to flourish.
Stewart, Hudson, Darrel Baldock and Royce Hart are Tasmania’s Hall of Fame Australian football legends.
There is already speculation that the likely name of the team, the Tasmanian Devils, would violate a commercial copyright.
The state government will contribute $12 million per year to a team for 12 years, plus $60 million for a high-quality center.
It will spend $375 million on the new 23,000-seat indoor stadium, which opponents have labeled a waste of money amid a housing and health crisis.
The AFL is contributing $15 million to the stadium.