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Chopper tour as Hawks reap Tassie bonus

Roar Guru
30th September, 2013
1

AFL premiers Hawthorn have toured second home Tasmania by chopper, and why not after a $300,000 sponsorship bonus from the island state’s government.

An advance party that included captain Luke Hodge and coach Alistair Clarkson were greeted by an ecstatic crowd of more than 2000 at Hobart’s City Hall.

They were then whisked to the Hawks’ Launceston home ground, Aurora Stadium, by helicopter where they rejoined the full squad.

Champion forward Lance Franklin attended what could be his last duties as a Hawk with speculation rife he will announce a multi-million dollar per season deal with Greater Western Sydney as early as Tuesday.

Hawthorn has around 8,500 Tasmanian members and a crowd of around 7000 was on hand to congratulate the victorious side at Aurora.

Hobart fans belted out the team song before they were treated to a Q&A session with Hodge, Clarkson, Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughead and others.

Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings raised three cheers, but it was all too much for one young fan who fainted during a chat between the MC and Josh Gibson.

“It was a magnificent turnout,” Hodge told reporters in Hobart.

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“Whenever we come down here the Tasmanian people give us that much support.”

Regardless of what happens to Franklin, the Hawks have a buddy in the Tasmanian government.

Its multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement to play four games a year in Launceston includes a $300,000 bonus for winning the flag.

The deal, now in its 13th year and scheduled to run until 2016, also means the word “Tasmania” is emblazoned in blue across the famous brown and gold jersey.

The cash-strapped state government has attracted criticism for the sponsorship but estimates its worth at $15 million per year and 400 jobs.

The Liberal opposition, favoured to win government in an election next March, has pledged to retain the deal.

North Melbourne have also tested the Tasmanian waters in the past two seasons, playing two games a year at Hobart’s Bellerive ground.

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Hodge credited Aurora Stadium’s home-ground advantage for part of the Hawks’ successful 2013 campaign.

“It shows by our record down here,” he said.

“We’re a very hard team to beat down here.”

Another group, including Tassie local Grant Birchall, was due in Devonport late on Monday.

“You need to sit back and actually enjoy the moment while you can,” said Hodge.

“Too often you can’t sit back and think about what an achievement we have been through.

“In about two weeks I think we start running again so I think by that stage we’ll start focusing on the 2014 season.”

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