Tassie timeline becomes clearer

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is not anticipating clarity on a potential nineteenth license for a Tasmanian team until May, reiterating that the deal is contingent on a stadium.

McLachlan was in Tasmania last week at a business lunch but wasn’t expected to announce any significant news given the fate of the stadium currently rests with the Federal Government.

But he made the promise that should the Federal Government come to the party and fund the remaining $240 million for the Macquarie Point Stadium, the AFL will invest $360 million in Tasmania footy over the next decade.

WIN News sports journalist Brent Costelloe described it as a key announcement that had Tasmanians excited.

“He’s come down with a $360 million cheque, which is obviously very exciting,” he said to SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“So he was just spruiking that at the lunch today and what it will do for footy in Tasmania. A lot will go to grassroots footy and preparing the next generation of talent, so it’s a pretty exciting announcement for the state.

“Really, the whole Tasmanian footy eco-system is in the hands of the Prime Minister of Australia at the moment and if they can make up that shortfall for the stadium.

“Gillon basically said he’s not expecting any decision before the May budget, so this is going to drag out for a big longer unfortunately.”

The 19th license was thought to be one of the issues behind McLachlan delaying his departure from AFL House. But given he’s set to depart at the end of round five, he’s now seemingly conceded to leaving the matter to his successor.

The AFL and Tasmanian State Government have already funded $390 million towards the proposed stadium.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously dodged questions around whether his Government would bridge the shortfall in funding.

However, he did tell SEN in January that the stadium would have to be used for more than just AFL games.

“I’ve had really constructive discussions with Jeremy Rockliff, the Tassie Premier… of course, it would be a very good thing if Tasmania had an AFL team,” Mr Albanese said at the time.

“It’s a national competition, if you were going back a bit you might have reconsidered some of the decisions that have been made given Tasmania is an AFL state…”

– BY SEB MOTTRAM