Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett is adamant that each of the Victorian teams should play a game against the Hawks in Tasmania once every four and a half years.
I’ll be the first to admit that, considering Tasmania does not have an AFL team, the arrangement which Hawthorn is currently working under with the Apple Isle deserves recognition.
But that does not mean every other club should jump on board the Tasmanian train.
Under Kennett’s arrangement, two of the nine Victorian teams (aside from Hawthorn) will play a game in Tasmania on a rotation basis each year.
We are all sympathetic towards Tasmania’s plight to get an AFL team up and going. But why would big-drawing teams, such as Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon, want to go and play a game at Aurora Stadium, considering the capacity is just 22,000?
This may service the fans in Tasmania, but thousands of Victorian members are then deprived of a home-and-away game.
I get the feeling Kennett has offered his views and not considered the other side of the argument.
Take his words on the weekend, for example, when he was asked how Collingwood would view the proposal: “If it was our home game, I don’t think Eddie (McGuire) would mind at all.”
Opposition clubs will mind because a game in Tasmania – especially for the power clubs – will cost them money and, perhaps, a home game on the fixture.
Kennett wants to service the Tasmanian community and give them the opportunity to see all Victorian teams over a four and a half year period.
That’s fine, but the AFL has shown their hand on the prospects of a team in Tasmania and it can’t be left to other clubs to foot the bill.
Kennett believes it is not asking much for each Victorian team to play a game once every four and a half years, but not all of his fellow presidents will see it that way.
If Tasmania got the nod ahead of the new Gold Coast team, would all clubs be made to adopt the Gold Coast and play regular matches there?
I don’t think so.
Why should Tasmania be any different? The relationship with Hawthorn is sufficient in my view.
There is already enough trouble with the poorer clubs selling home games. Let’s not make the problem worse.
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Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into a premature and immediate AFL retirement through concussion to prioritise a "full and healthy life"…
Jason Dunstall - humble as always!
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
