AFL News: Dangerfield's radical Tasmania recruiting plan, Riewoldt backs state to entice players

Geelong captain and AFL Players Association president Patrick Dangerfield has proposed a radical plan to allow the new Tasmanian team to have access to contracted players from other clubs.

With the AFL keen to have the new club competitive immediately, Dangerfield’s plan is one of a number of proposed solutions to have the team in a stronger immediate position than previous expansion teams Gold Coast and GWS, who were given a bevy of draft picks and thus struggled in their first seasons.

For Dangerfield, the extra recruiting access would enable the Tasmanian team to target players who ‘want to be there’, regardless of their contract status.

“My view is that the Tasmanian team should have access to contracted players, so one from every club, regardless of contract, if they choose to join Tasmania, then they should be able to do that,” he said on SEN.

“Whether there’s a mechanism for reimbursement to those clubs, I’m not really sure.

“I think if we’re going to do this and do this properly, Tasmania should have access to not only the best talent but the best possible people in order to create something that’s truly unique and truly special, and quite clearly, generating a really strong culture is part of that.

“So I think having the ability to choose whoever you like, regardless of contract status, would be a really important part of that.”

Dangerfield says his proposal would avoid the issues faced by the Suns and Giants in both convincing players to depart their old clubs, as well as managing their cap to avoid overpaying recruits.

“If you had the ability to recruit players in contract, then you’re not left with just who’s out of contract and they may like it, and you know what, we’re just gonna pay him and that will force them to like it or not,” he said.

“We’re [Tasmania] going to make sure that we’re targeting these guys because they love the idea of it. And that way we can manage the cap as well so you’re not overpaying.”

The new team will enter the AFL competition for the 2028 season.

Richmond legend Jack Riewoldt. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

‘Plenty of farmland’: Riewoldt backs Tasmania as appealing destination for AFL players

Richmond veteran Jack Riewoldt believes his home state Tasmania can offer something different to entice players and coaches to join the AFL’s latest club.

The island state was on Wednesday awarded the league’s 19th licence and is expected to have a team in the men’s competition in 2028.

Hawthorn captain James Sicily apologised last month after saying there was “not much” happening in Tasmania and he couldn’t imagine living there.

Hobart-born Riewoldt, who was at the licence announcement at North Hobart Oval, said Tasmania could be compared to a location like Geelong.

“There is certainly the type of person who will be attracted to coming down here,” he said.

“I look at arguably one of the best players in the competition at the moment, Jeremy Cameron, who lives on a farm not far out of Geelong.

“There is plenty of farmland not far from the CBD here (Hobart).”

Riewoldt, 34, said he would jump at the chance to be involved with the Tasmanian club.

“That’s the thing Tasmanians will do. They’re littered across the AFL, in many different roles, and AFLW,” he said.

“They’ll be putting their hands up to give back to the state that has given them so much. The formation will be an exciting process.”

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said plans for a training base would develop in coming months and a community campaign to choose the club’s name would be launched later this year.

He said Tasmania would likely enter the VFL in about 2025 as a precursor to its AFL start, while a date for an AFLW outfit was being worked on.

He brushed off concerns Tasmania would not be an attractive destination for young players.

“There’s been legitimate concerns historically but this is a different city, a different state,” he said.

“What players want to be able to do is be good footballers.

“The training and administration facility is going to be first-class and they’ll be playing in what I think will be an incredible, pumping venue in the middle of a great city.”

Tasmania’s bid got across the line after the federal government chipped in $240 million for a contentious $715 million new waterfront stadium in Hobart.

The stadium was the final piece required by the AFL before approving the licence, which was unanimously backed by the 18 existing club presidents on Tuesday.

The state government is contributing $375 million to the stadium, as well as $12 million per year over 12 years towards a team, plus $60 million for a high-performance centre.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, AFL chief Gillon McLachlan and Deputy PM Richard Marles. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The official announcement of team Tasmania hasn’t deterred Hawthorn from seeking a continued partnership with the state government to play at least one match per year on the other side of Bass Strait.

The Hawks’ current deal to play four home games at UTAS Stadium in Launceston expires at the end of 2025, with the club’s long-term partnership with the state seemingly at odds with their push for an AFL team of their own.

However, Hawks CEO Justin Reeves told The Age the club is ‘open’ to continuing their presence in Tasmania.

“After 25 years and with nearly 10,000 members we have a generation of Hawks supporters and amazing relationships with government and the community that need to be thought through,” Reeves said.

“Our commitment to Tasmania is solid and we will always work collaboratively with Tasmania on what’s best for all parties. We are open to playing a home game if that’s appropriate and helps football in Tasmania.”

One floated scenario has been the Hawks playing two games a season in Tasmania – an away game against the new team at their planned Hobart Stadium, and a Hawks home game in Launceston.

The Hawks have publicly voiced their support for the new Tasmanian team, despite the likely impact to their lucrative state government sponsorship.

“This announcement realises a dream of so many Tasmanians,” Hawks president Andrew Gowers said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The state has a proud football history and this decision confirms its future will be even brighter.”

Bad nose for Cats with star back sent for surgery

Geelong key defender Sam De Koning will be sidelined for the Cats’ clash with Adelaide on Saturday afternoon, after undergoing surgery on a broken nose.

De Koning sustained the injury during the Cats’ win over Essendon on Sunday; the club has confirmed it will sideline him for ‘the short term’, but are yet to put a time frame on his return.

De Koning finished runner-up to Nick Daicos in the 2022 Rising Star award, playing a crucial role in the Cats’ premiership run.

In the past few weeks, he has also served as a part-time ruckman due to the absence of regular big man Rhys Stanley to a fractured eye socket.