First to stay south, but Hawks now facing a fight JON PIERIK
July 18, 2010 AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says the incentive of growing a supporter base, rather than financial return, is paramount when clubs consider shifting home games to Hobart.
Richmond, North Melbourne and Melbourne have been linked to playing matches at Bellerive Oval, as soon as 2012, with the Kangaroos' chairman James Brayshaw intensifying his club's interest this week.
The Tigers had led the charge, having received detailed information from Cricket Tasmania, which runs Bellerive, earlier this season. Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale has subsequently met Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett and CT chairman Tony Harrison.
While the Tigers have a $4 million debt, and shifting games south would be financially lucrative - the Hawks have a $16.4 million deal over five years to play at Launceston - Demetriou said there were other important factors to consider.
''I think all clubs, whether it's Richmond, North Melbourne or whoever, [should] see Tasmania as a great way of growing their supporter base,'' he said. ''I don't think it's about reducing debt, or just the money; it's about growing the supporter base, because you have to grow in this competition because it's becoming very, very competitive.''
Gale has flagged hopes of the Tigers one day having 75,000 members - they have 35,960 this season - so a healthy Tasmanian base would help fulfil this hope.
The Hawks, who have more than 7000 Tasmanian members, have yet to renew their deal with the government, with talks to begin soon. Demetriou said deals with Bellerive would not impact the Hawks.
''We will talk to all clubs, including Hawthorn, because Hawthorn has done a fantastic job in their commitment to four games and their commitment to football in Tasmania, and they have got a very good following,'' he said. ''We have always said that if there are to be games at Bellerive, they can't be to the detriment of Launceston.
''They have to be additional games to the four. That's a healthy thing for Tasmanian football and we are keen to see that.''
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett hopes his club will be playing Tasmanian games in 20 or 30 years.
''We actually see our commitment being here for the long-term,'' he said. ''It's been the position of many governments on both sides of the political persuasion that Tasmania has football to the north and cricket to the south. If that were ever to change, we're happy to review where we play.
''I just simply say this though - from our perspective, this is … the best ground we play on in the league; [of] any ground in Australia, this is the best ground.''
The Kangaroos had been reluctant to publicly express interest in Hobart for fear of sparking unnecessary speculation about their financial viability. But Brayshaw, speaking on The Footy Show, confirmed the club's strong interest.
''Absolutely, every club with a chance of playing down there should look at it,'' Brayshaw said. ''
don't know [how many games] and that's the issue at the moment. We don't really know what it looks like but I think there will be footy played down there in a couple of years, and it will be really exciting. It will be a great place to play footy.''
Brayshaw said the Hawks had shown how to make it a success.
''The south of Tasmania is an enormous opportunity and any club that doesn't look at that positively has got rocks in their head,'' he said.
''You only have to look at what [Hawthorn] has done in the north, it is an enormous success story. They have increased membership, increased supporter base, increased revenue of course, increased merchandise.''
The Kangaroos' membership has fallen by 4.9 per cent to 26,953 this season.
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