One team in Tasmania the best fit: AFLNick Bowen
afl.com.au
April 15, 2014 7:07 PMTHE AFL's preferred football model in Tasmania would involve one team playing in both Launceston and Hobart, League deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan says.
For the past three years, the AFL has been represented in Tasmania by Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
The Hawks have played 'home' games at Launceston's Aurora Stadium since 2001 and remain contracted to play four games a year there until the end of 2016.
North is in the final season of a three-year deal to play two games a season at Hobart's Blundstone Arena, but Roos chief executive Carl Dilena told AFL.com.au last week the Roos expected to start talks on extending their stay in Hobart within the next two months.
McLachlan was in Tasmania on Tuesday as the AFL officially took over the management of the state's governing football body, AFL Tasmania, and outlined his vision for the Apple Isle to the local media.
"We have an ideal model which is a single team representing Tasmania. Who that is and what format that takes is a complex question," McLachlan told The Mercury.
"Everyone understands (the Hawks) have another two years on their contract to run and I feel very confident North Melbourne will renew their arrangement for at least another couple of years in Hobart and the appropriate time to review that will be post-2016.
"I would love to see more content down here.
"The success of the North Melbourne footy club over the past couple of years has shown the appetite in the south. It has been well entrenched in the north and I think we are working constructively with all parties to increase the level of content at a minimum."
Dilena has consistently said North is interested in increasing its commitment at Blundstone Arena to three games a season from 2015.
In response to McLachlan's comments on Tuesday night, the North CEO told NMFC.com.au three games a season was the maximum commitment the club was considering in Hobart.
"It's been an honour playing two games in Hobart for the past two years and we look forward to returning later this season to face St Kilda and Adelaide," Dilena said.
"We have been open about our discussions with the AFL and key stakeholders in Hobart about increasing our commitment from two games to three.
"We are not considering anything beyond a potential three-game model and with the current stadium deal at Etihad, we are only in a position to go from two games to three in 2015 and beyond."
McLachlan said he was yet to speak to Hawthorn, North or the Tasmanian Government about the future of AFL football in Tasmania beyond the end of the Hawks' contract in 2016.
Dilena has consistently said North is interested in increasing its commitment at Blundstone Arena to three games a season from 2015.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-04-15/afl-backs-one-team-in-tas
