Lethal backs a roofed stadium in Tassie; Blues blow: Walsh out for up to six weeks
The construction of a roofed stadium in Hobart is a key condition for the Devils to join the league.
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'All I am saying is, a heavy dew is the worst playing conditions, even when it is heavy rain,' Matthews said, adding it was a similar situation to the humidity in Darwin.
'And the games are a terrible spectacle up there most of the time because there is heavy humidity. When it is raining, you expect the ball to be wet, you can adjust a little bit, but the heavy dew or the heavy humidity like Darwin, [which] I put in the same category, they are terrible spectacles because the playing conditions are poor.'
Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania have both raised concerns about the design of the proposed stadium's roof, pointing to the potential for shadows that would negatively affect playing conditions and broadcast quality.
Regardless of the state election, the Devils were likely to have split their home matches between the existing stadium in Hobart, Ninja Stadium (Bellerive Oval), and Launceston in their first season in 2028.
But the latest political drama, complete with split public support for the stadium, could mean the project is delayed even further.
Brisbane Lions premiership coach Chris Fagan, a proud Tasmanian, said it was important the state galvanised to ensure the team – and stadium – went ahead.
'Sometimes I just shake my head about what happens in Tasmania. This is probably the best bid there has been for a team, [there's been] so much work done. It feels so close, but still feels a little bit too far away for my liking,' Fagan said on Saturday.
'Hopefully all the political stuff will settle down and Tasmanians will band together, particularly from a political sense, and get the team up and going.'
Blues blow: Walsh out with foot injury
Scott Spits
Desperate to keep their finals hopes alive, the Blues have been hit with another brutal injury blow, with star midfielder Sam Walsh sidelined for up to six weeks with a foot injury.
The Blues said the 24-year-old Walsh reported foot soreness after training on Friday, but in a welcome relief for the club's faithful, Carlton said there was no fracture in the foot and Walsh would not need surgery.
'During yesterday's main training session, Walsh reported foot soreness and has subsequently undergone a series of scans and consultation over the last 24 hours,' the Blues said in a statement on Saturday.
'The extent of the issue has been confirmed this morning, ruling Walsh out of the trip to Perth and the coming weeks,' the Blues said.
'The club can confirm there is no fracture in the foot, therefore no surgery is required, however a period of recovery is now needed to allow the injury to settle.'
Michael Voss' side – 11th on the ladder heading into round 14 but with top-end talent on every line – has won just two of its past five games. The Blues now face upcoming clashes against Collingwood, the Brisbane Lions, Melbourne and potentially Hawthorn without one of their most influential midfielders.
The Blues have earmarked Walsh to return in either round 19 or 20, making their clashes with West Coast, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide in their next three matches even more significant. Carlton's form line is patchy at best, having struggled to overcome an injury ravaged Essendon in round 13 and lost to the inconsistent Giants and Swans in the two matches prior to their round 12 bye.
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'Sam was unable to complete yesterday's main training session after reporting soreness in his foot, with further examination confirming a hot spot in his foot,' Carlton's general manager of football, Brad Lloyd, said about Walsh's injury status.
'Given he does not require surgery, Sam will aim to return to the side in just over a month.'
The Blues have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (Achilles) for the rest of the season, while Coleman medallist Harry McKay will miss his second straight match due to knee soreness when the Blues face the Eagles on Sunday night (AEST) at Optus Stadium.
The Eagles have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week.
Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side.
Meanwhile, five-time All-Australian and 2018 premiership star Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career.
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Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with an "inconvenient" foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. 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Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. A decision on McGovern's future is expected within the next week. Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with an "inconvenient" foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "It's more in the early stages which is why the timeline isn't as long as what it could've been," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of Walsh's injury on Saturday. "We're fortunate enough we caught it early, but all these things always come with inconvenient timing. "It's inconvenient for everyone, for him and for us. "He's a real pro. Once he knows what he's dealing with, he turns his mind into his rehab, how he can get better and how to get the most out of the situation. "He'll take his five or six weeks and hopefully we get him back better and stronger." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. A decision on McGovern's future is expected within the next week. Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with an "inconvenient" foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "It's more in the early stages which is why the timeline isn't as long as what it could've been," Carlton coach Michael Voss said of Walsh's injury on Saturday. "We're fortunate enough we caught it early, but all these things always come with inconvenient timing. "It's inconvenient for everyone, for him and for us. "He's a real pro. Once he knows what he's dealing with, he turns his mind into his rehab, how he can get better and how to get the most out of the situation. "He'll take his five or six weeks and hopefully we get him back better and stronger." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. A decision on McGovern's future is expected within the next week.
