The AFL has rejected any suggestions that it disadvantaged Hawthorn in backing a North Melbourne bid to play home games in Tasmania.
North had offered to play seven games per year in Launceston and Hobart from 2012, but on Monday the Tasmanian Government extended its existing deal with the Hawks.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the league put the seven-game offer to Hawthorn before backing the North bid.
The contract extension involves the Hawks playing four home games and one pre-season match per year in Launceston from 2012-16 and is worth $16 million to the club.
Hawks president Jeff Kennett has attacked the North bid, saying it made their negotiations much harder.
“It’s a fantastic thing that Hawthorn have done a deal with the Tasmanian Government,” said AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.
“I don’t think it’s true we don’t appreciate what Hawthorn have done.
“We didn’t go behind Hawthorn’s back, I actually went to Jeff Kennett and I spoke to Jeff about the possibility of playing additional games in Tasmania – Hawthorn first and foremost should have been given the first opportunity.”
Demetriou said Hawthorn did not want to play seven home games in Tasmania, so then North became involved.
“Then we engaged quite openly with Hawthorn … the possibility of North Melbourne taking up the opportunity to play seven games, they were involved in every discussion,” Demetriou said.
“They saw every business plan we were putting forward on behalf of North Melbourne, so it’s simply not true Hawthorn weren’t involved.
“The Tasmanian Government … chose to renew, and in many ways quite rightly, a deal with Hawthorn for four to five games.”
But Demetriou added the new Hawks deal had set back Tasmania’s long-held dream of an AFL side based in the state.
He also said North would now have to look at new ways to expand their supporter base.
“I guess the disappointing thing for the Tasmanian public (is) it probably closes the door on a team in Tasmania for a period of time,” he said.
“It will obviously be Hawthorn playing a maximum of four or five games and the possibility maybe of additional games in Hobart, whether they be a North Melbourne or a Richmond or whoever puts their hand up.
“They (North) will have to go back to the drawing board, but it will be a challenge for them, because they need to grow and grow at a pace that keeps up with the rest of the competition.
“Perhaps playing two or three games in Hobart might be a possibility and an opportunity for them.
“That’s a decision for the North Melbourne board.”
Meanwhile, Demetriou has called on the league to consider an overseas match for premiership points.
Speaking at an AFL industry conference on the Gold Coast, he said the league must remain open to change.
“Imagine the scene when one day in the not too distant future we play the first ever match overseas for premiership points?,” he said.
“It could be Shanghai. It could be Mumbai. It could be Los Angeles. Wherever it is, when that day comes we’ll know our game has taken yet another great leap forward.”
slickwilly
Guest
what actually results from the stadium deal/development will be interesting to see unfold - anything less than the standard set by york park in launceston will be viewed as a backward step IMO - the proposed 15,000 capacity suggests something closer to manuka oval which is not ideal... perhaps there is a longer term view to incrementally develop the ground as ballarats population grows and transport links with the metro area improve tentatively would suggest this is a good move
Kermit is a frog
Roar Pro
North Melbourne may have been scuppered re playing games in Hobart - however, the much preferred by many Ballarat option might be closer than previously thought. The H-S reports "Kangaoos may play home-and-away matches in Ballarat ", UPDATE 12.22pm: THE AFL has backed a Labor state election promise for North Melbourne to play up to four home-and-away AFL games a year in Ballarat. Premier John Brumby said if Labor wins Saturday's poll $30 million would be spent on the plan to turn Ballarat's Eureka Stadium into a boutique venue capable of hosting AFL matches. The announcement comes a week after North Melbourne's plan to play seven matches a season in Tasmania fell through. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou backed the plan, saying Ballarat could be ready to host games by 2012. "The Ballarat and surrounding region is 400,000 people strong and growing - that’s almost the size of Tasmania itself," Demetriou told the AFL website. "I have no doubt Ballarat can be home to AFL home and away games in the next two years." For many, this will come as great news, and you'd hope the Liberals could announce something similar. This would be great for regional Victoria and great for the AFL to be able to games back to the people - - - and especially should the FIFA WC hosting rights be won, then, AFL matches in Ballarat in 2022 would be very useful. Personally, I'd push for a Steamrail Victoria 'special' train to run people up to Ballarat for the weekend,....take the kids up there for a weekend away,......not quite driving onto the ferry for a week in Tassie taking in the footy in Hobart, but, not bad all the same (just as cold!!! - just try not to think of what could've been with mid winter trips to Gold Coast to watch the 'Roos play).