'We're still all set': AFL boss on Tasmania 2028 start

The Advertiser

a day ago

The AFL remains confident of a 2028 start date for its Tasmanian team, despite ongoing political instability in the state.
League chief executive Andrew Dillon said on Tuesday that "with a bit of luck", the Tasmania Devils' provisional licence would be granted by the end of the year.
But that hinges on the state government going ahead with construction of the new stadium in Hobart that would be home to the team.
The Liberals under premier Jeremy Rockliff were returned to power after last month's state election, but they remain a minority government.
A motion of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in Labor would be moved when state parliament resumes on August 19, Labor leader Dean Winter said.
The Greens and some independents oppose the $1 billion stadium project.
"From there (the return to parliament next Tuesday), we'll get more of an understanding as to the timing for the planning process and then the building of the stadium," Dillon said.
"Once the parliament gets commissioned, we have an agreement with the Tasmanian government, whoever that is of the day, to build the stadium, to fund the team.
"We have a massive investment ourselves in football in Tasmania.
"We're still all set ... as I stand here now, there's nothing that dissuades me from the 2028 start date."
Dillon was asked when the provisional licence might be granted to the Devils, confirming they are the AFL's 19th team.
"It really depends on the planning process and then the building contract," he said.
"It's not weeks, but it could be months ... (by the end of the year) with a bit of luck, yeah."
The AFL is yet to announce details of the list concessions around the formation of the new team and Dillon conceded the election had been a factor in the delay.
"It had maybe a small part to do with it, but we're really clear that we'll get those lists rules out before the trade period," he said.
The AFL remains confident of a 2028 start date for its Tasmanian team, despite ongoing political instability in the state.
League chief executive Andrew Dillon said on Tuesday that "with a bit of luck", the Tasmania Devils' provisional licence would be granted by the end of the year.
But that hinges on the state government going ahead with construction of the new stadium in Hobart that would be home to the team.
The Liberals under premier Jeremy Rockliff were returned to power after last month's state election, but they remain a minority government.
A motion of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in Labor would be moved when state parliament resumes on August 19, Labor leader Dean Winter said.
The Greens and some independents oppose the $1 billion stadium project.
"From there (the return to parliament next Tuesday), we'll get more of an understanding as to the timing for the planning process and then the building of the stadium," Dillon said.
"Once the parliament gets commissioned, we have an agreement with the Tasmanian government, whoever that is of the day, to build the stadium, to fund the team.
"We have a massive investment ourselves in football in Tasmania.
"We're still all set ... as I stand here now, there's nothing that dissuades me from the 2028 start date."
Dillon was asked when the provisional licence might be granted to the Devils, confirming they are the AFL's 19th team.
"It really depends on the planning process and then the building contract," he said.
"It's not weeks, but it could be months ... (by the end of the year) with a bit of luck, yeah."
The AFL is yet to announce details of the list concessions around the formation of the new team and Dillon conceded the election had been a factor in the delay.
"It had maybe a small part to do with it, but we're really clear that we'll get those lists rules out before the trade period," he said.
The AFL remains confident of a 2028 start date for its Tasmanian team, despite ongoing political instability in the state.
League chief executive Andrew Dillon said on Tuesday that "with a bit of luck", the Tasmania Devils' provisional licence would be granted by the end of the year.
But that hinges on the state government going ahead with construction of the new stadium in Hobart that would be home to the team.
The Liberals under premier Jeremy Rockliff were returned to power after last month's state election, but they remain a minority government.
A motion of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in Labor would be moved when state parliament resumes on August 19, Labor leader Dean Winter said.
The Greens and some independents oppose the $1 billion stadium project.
"From there (the return to parliament next Tuesday), we'll get more of an understanding as to the timing for the planning process and then the building of the stadium," Dillon said.
"Once the parliament gets commissioned, we have an agreement with the Tasmanian government, whoever that is of the day, to build the stadium, to fund the team.
"We have a massive investment ourselves in football in Tasmania.
"We're still all set ... as I stand here now, there's nothing that dissuades me from the 2028 start date."
Dillon was asked when the provisional licence might be granted to the Devils, confirming they are the AFL's 19th team.
"It really depends on the planning process and then the building contract," he said.
"It's not weeks, but it could be months ... (by the end of the year) with a bit of luck, yeah."
The AFL is yet to announce details of the list concessions around the formation of the new team and Dillon conceded the election had been a factor in the delay.
"It had maybe a small part to do with it, but we're really clear that we'll get those lists rules out before the trade period," he said.