North Melbourne will play Richmond in the first of three Hobart games in the AFL next season.
The newly redeveloped Blundstone Arena, with an increased capacity of almost 20,000, will play host to the blockbuster clash in round six.
“The Hobart and Tasmanian public have been unbelievably welcoming and supportive over the past three seasons, and the club can’t wait for a similar reception when we return next year,” North CEO Carl Dilena said in a statement.
“Richmond is one of the biggest clubs in the league, and for this game to be scheduled at Blundstone Arena highlights the impact North Melbourne and the AFL is having within the city of Hobart.”
North will take on West Coast in round 10, and following a sell-out crowd this season, St Kilda in round 20.
alicesprings
Guest
Hopefully Tasmania will one day get its own team..Tassie is up there with the strongest Aussie Rules regions in the country. Obviously we won't see any new teams for the next TV deal, maybe the one after is a possibility only with another team in Perth.
andyl12
Guest
Your last line is why it will never happen.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
I agree Franko,it's not as if the Tasmanian Government is bathing in cash to pay for these games either. AFL are willing to throw as much wasted money into Western Sydney as need be but a side in Tassie would already be bigger support wise now than GWS are. I don't understand it,it's as though the AFL just want to keep Tassie sniffing at the rag without getting the goods.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
Tassie should drop the visiting AFL side thing unless they can be assured of a club based in Tas within a given time frame. The AFL should make it clear exactly what the hurdles to entry are.... Oh, and Taswegians need to get over the whole north/south thing in the interests of the state as a whole.
Franko
Guest
Fair enough for North but I'm not sure the locals in Tas will ever get their own side if they continue to subsidise Vic clubs.