Tasmanian Premier unhappy with AFL response to bid for state-based team

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has released a statement advising that it “beggars belief” as to why the AFL requires another year to assess a feasibility for establishing a club in the state.

Following a submission presented to the AFL 12 months ago, Premier Gutwein had last week called for the League to provide a clear timetable for the introduction of a Tasmanian-based club by 5pm on Friday.

In response, AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan spoke with Premier Gutwein, as well as Tasmanian AFL Taskforce Chairman Brett Godfrey, by telephone on Friday before presenting a formal written response.

Premier Gutwein (pictured below) was so unhappy with the response from McLachlan that he released a statement advising “the response received from the AFL is simply not good enough.

“After receiving our business case 12 months ago, it beggars belief the AFL has not been able to consider it fully over the last year and now, to add insult to injury, want to take up to another year before providing clarity on the future of a Tasmanian team.

“As a footballing heartland state we have paid our dues and deserve much better. We have supported the AFL and before them the VFL, providing some of the best talent to play the game and it's now time for the AFL to treat Tasmania fairly.”

McLachlan’s letter said the AFL Commission “understands the importance of Tasmania to our code” and “appreciates the work done in your submission for a Tasmanian team”, hence the league’s view the submission warranted a “detailed review”.

He went on to advise that the AFL Commission would seek an independent consultant to lead the review, with support from the AFL strategy team to provide a detailed response, noting “the substantive nature of the work would examine your submission from an industry perspective including all financial, fixturing, talent and other relevant considerations.

“This should be completed by late 2021 or early 2022 when we expect to have a clearer picture of our own financial position and that of the wider AFL community.”

McLachlan’s letter also advised that the “AFL Commission had begun to consider the Taskforce report on a team based in Tasmania last year when that work with clubs was placed on hold, due to the impacts of COVID-19, which had a far greater impact on our season and overall health of our game than could have been expected or predicted.

“The AFL competitions and community football face uncertainty and risk again in 2021 with restrictions on mass gatherings and cross broader travel, in-turn creating financial and investment uncertainty as well.”

It also acknowledged the “impact that this might have on the Tasmanian Governments ability to progress the arrangements with the Hawthorn and North Melbourne Football Clubs, and if that remains an issue, the AFL would propose to deal directly with the two clubs and the implications for them in 2022, as well as for Tasmanian football.”

After receiving McLachlan’s letter, Premier Gutwein released it publicly, along with his own statement of disappointment.

The Tasmanian AFL taskforce is intent on securing a team in the state by 2025.