Outgoing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says he has no fears about Tasmania’s ability to recruit marquee players, revealing he’s already had conversations with big names about making the move south.
McLachlan was on hand with Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and acting Prime Minister Richard Marles to officially grant the Apple Isle a licence to be the 19th AFL team in what he called a “historic” announcement.
Tasmania will also have a team in the AFLW, with the league’s current aim to have both teams up and running in 2028. Tasmania is likely to have a team in the VFL by 2025.
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After making the announcement, McLachlan was asked whether players would want to relocate to Tasmania when he opened up on conversations he’d already had.
”I’ve certainly spoken to enough star marquee players who love (the idea of) coming down here (and) starting young families. I do my homework and I’m not worried about that,” he said.
“We’ve had legitimate concerns historically (but) this is a different city, a different state.
“What players want to be able to do is be good footballers, and whether it’s in the AFLW or the AFL, the facilities are going to be first class. They will be playing in what I think will be an incredible, pumping venue in the middle of a great city.”
Wednesday’s announcement was one decade in the making for Tasmania after having bids to enter the AFL rejected multiple times over the last 30 years as the league gradually expanded to the rest of Australia.
“It’s a big day for football, it’s a big day for Tasmanians and I believe it’s a big day for all football supporters,” McLachlan said.
“Today is about recognising that Tasmania belongs in the national football conversation.”
Premier Rockliff was overjoyed with the announcement.
“Our time has finally come,” he said.
“This has been hard fought for by many, many Tasmanians over a number of generations.
“You cannot leave Tasmania off the map and call yourself the Australian Football League. We’ve changed the course of history.”
McLachlan’s announcement comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the state would receive a $240 million grant to build a brand new stadium for the new AFL team to play its home games in.
The AFL had named a brand new stadium as a prerequisite for Tasmania to receive a licence.
McLachlan confirmed that the stadium at Macquarie Point did not necessarily need to be built for the Tasmanian team’s inaugural season. He also revealed that the stadium would be roofed and would have a capacity of 23,000.
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