Struggling AFL clubs and would-be franchises in western Sydney and the Gold Coast have been put on notice that Tasmania is ready to join the league should they fall over.
With a bid described as “first-class” by AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, Tasmania officially joined the expansion game after Premier David Bartlett presented a bid to the league in Melbourne on Friday.
While Demetriou re-iterated the AFL’s preferred points for expansion in the short-term were the Gold Coast and western Sydney, he said the Tasmanian bid was comprehensive and ticked all the boxes.
It now effectively makes Tasmania a fallback option at least should catastrophe strike the AFL’s commitment to extra teams in Queensland and NSW, or should the league lose a struggling Melbourne-based club.
“The amount of work and research is comprehensive and first-class. We were incredibly impressed by the level of detail in the submission,” Demetriou said.
“Our priorities are the Gold Coast and western Sydney, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of Tasmania at some point in the future.
“Things change, the world changes and based on the presentation we saw today what I would say is that the Tasmanian Government is more than capable and is ready if in the event that an opportunity arose.
“That’s not to say an opportunity won’t arise because you just never know what may happen.”
Bartlett said Tasmania already had 60 per cent of corporate sponsorship required for an AFL club, would easily meet the required target of 25,000 members and projected stadium revenues would put them in the top four performing stadia in the league.
“The commitment Andrew’s given me today is he’ll take the business case we’ve provided very seriously,” Bartlett said.
“We’re mapping out a pathway so when opportunities arise in the AFL in the future, the AFL Commission will understand Tasmania is ready, willing and able to provide a market for an AFL franchise.
“What we’ve said to the AFL is we’re ready when you are.”
Premiers Hawthorn already offer a part-time Tasmanian presence, playing four games a season there on a lucrative multi-million dollar deal with the state government until 2011.
But Tasmania believes it is entitled to a fulltime team based there, citing the fact it is an Australian rules stronghold that can support its own club.
The AFL has already committed to a Gold Coast team joining the competition in 2011, with a western Sydney team slated for 2012.
AAP gh/ej
oikee
Guest
Maybe the Coast as long as the support is real. Look to be honest M.C i really want to see 2 new teams. What i dont want to see is 2 new teams explode with lack of support after 2-4 years. Those coasties are fickle. What i will say is that Brisbane will create some good support for them, the derbies could be a real boast for both teams.
Michael C
Guest
oikee - main thing is that Gold Coast aren't happening over night - - 2011 is still 2 full seasons away. West Sydney - - well, we know they are less progressed than GC (at the same time) and so logic dictates that 2012 looks more like 2013 at the earliest. Who knows what time frame Tassie would have. It's not like buying up as per Clive Palmer to 'invent' a team overnight. So - - the AFL program for a new team is perhaps going to be not so vulnerable to the next 12-24 months as perhaps, the HAL with apparently 4 new teams in the next 18 months - - actually playing, not just starting to accumulating juniors to build an initial squad ready to kick off 2 years hence.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
The AFL is in a wonderful position knowing that Tassie will always be there. They may need them in 3, 5, 10 or 20 years. In the meantime, the Gold Coast and West Sydney is the only thing on their radar.
oikee
Guest
The down-turn is whats causing so much pain. Sponsers are throwing in the towel and i would have to say just scrap the new teams for now. The last thing the AFL wants is a massive cash cow to prop up in these times. Unfortunately i think Demetiou just needs to bite the bullit and take a hit, thank goodness NRL did not panic and start investing in new teams. Must have know something was going to happen. I have seen that Union sponsers are pulling out, soccer europe is heading to Asia to suck every last cent out of that cash cow. Not long now.
Forgetmenot
Guest
Perhaps the Gold Coast and Tasmania could join at the same time. And then later on a new Western Australian team, and the Western Sydney team can join. That way its a club that will be well supported, and a club that may struggle a bit.