Kangaroos' games at Blundstone Arena deliver $2.5 million

North Melbourne's two AFL fixtures at Hobart's Blundstone Arena (the former Bellerive Oval) last season delivered $2.5 million to the Tasmanian economy.

A Tourism Tasmania economic impact study conducted on the games showed a 150% return on the state's $1 million investment, made up by the TT-Line ($500,000), the Hobart City Council ($250,000) and the RACT ($250,000).

The games, part of a three-year deal, had been forecast to deliver $3 million.

However, it is believed the opening game of the deal, against Greater Western Sydney on Easter Sunday 2012, impacted negatively on the return due to the fact the Giants were playing only their second ever AFL match and are establishing their, limiting the number of interstate travellers.

While the economic impact study stated the return at $2.5 million, it noted "the ... results only relate to visitation numbers and not organisational expenditure (i.e. AFL and club staff, AFL players and sponsors paid for by the AFL clubs). It should be noted that the analysis considers the impact on the

Tasmanian economy in 2012 only. As such, the long-term impacts may be higher."

It is expected the deal will yield a greater return in 2013 as the Kangaroos are scheduled to play against two more established clubs reigning premier Sydney in round three on 13th April and against Port Adelaide in round six on 4th May.

In Launceston, the first of Hawthorn's four games are against Fremantle in round four on 20th April.

The Hawks will also host Greater Western Sydney in round eight (18th May), Brisbane Lions in round 14 (30th June) and Western Bulldogs in round 17 (20th July).

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