Tasmania Devils sell an incredible number of memberships in just TWO HOURS – putting them ahead of two established AFL teams
- The Tasmania Devils membership ensures astonishing success
- The new club is already off to a brilliant start
- The Tasmania Devils are the 19th ranked team in the competition
Tasmania’s AFL club sold more than 40,000 foundation memberships in the two hours after unveiling their mascot and team colors on Monday night.
The club announced on Monday night it would become known as the Tasmania Devils and wear a traditional green jersey with a yellow card of the island nation as a nod to its history.
It launched $10 foundation memberships, giving fans an ID membership card, stickers and access to upcoming merchandise.
Two hours after it went live, more than 40,000 memberships had been sold.
By comparison, expansion clubs Greater Western Sydney and the Gold Coast Suns had 33,036 and 23,359 members respectively at the end of 2023.
The colours, logo and base jersey for Tasmania’s AFL and AFLW teams have been released
However, they still have a long way to go to reach clubs like Collingwood (106,470 members), West Coast (103,275) and Richmond (101,349).
Free tickets to the launch, which was held simultaneously at multiple locations across Tasmania, were also quickly snapped up.
“Your club has been overwhelmed by the community support shown,” Tasmania Football Club president Grant O’Brien said.
“It was a truly special moment in our state’s football history, with thousands of Tasmanians joining in the cheers and tears.”
Tasmania-born premiership winner and former coach Rodney Eade was part of the launch in Hobart.
“You know (the team) is going to be a success, how much Tasmania is behind it,” Eade told AAP.
The former Swans, Bulldogs and Suns mentor urged his home state to look at the potential benefits of a controversial new stadium linked to the AFL’s 19th license.
Tasmania’s participation in the competition is conditional on the construction of a new 23,000-seat indoor waterfront stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart.
The new club already has 40,000 members, putting it ahead of two established AFL teams
The clubs say they are overwhelmed by all the support they have received
The project, estimated to cost $715 million, was signed and supported by the state’s Liberal government, which is aiming for a fourth term in Saturday’s election.
Opposition Labor Leader Rebecca White has described the stadium as the wrong priority for the state and wants to try to renegotiate the deal, despite AFL CEO Andrew Dillon remaining unmoved.
White has indicated that she would prefer to see a team thrive in existing locations before considering new infrastructure.
The club, which will take to the field in the AFL and AFLW in 2028, will play at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena and Launceston’s University of Tasmania for the first year.
The stadium, which has yet to be designed, will be subject to an independent planning review before being voted on by both houses of parliament.
Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse recently accused the AFL of ‘handing’ the stadium to a small state that doesn’t need it.
“I know some people have different opinions about it,” Eade said.
“But it will be great for Tasmania. It will be a multi-purpose stadium… the revenue and what it will bring to the economy (will be beneficial).
“(It will) create jobs for our youth… ambition for boys and girls. It’s a no-brainer.’
The Liberals have pledged to limit their spending on the stadium to $375 million, with the federal government contributing $240 million, the AFL $15 million and the rest from loans, leases and private investment.