Richmond exploring proposal to play home games in Tasmania over next two years
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary exclusively revealed details of the potential move that is being orchestrated by the Tasmanian government.
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Under the proposal, that is still in the early days, the Tigers would effectively replace North Melbourne as the team to play at Hobart's Ninja Stadium.
The Kangaroos have enjoyed a 14-year association with Tasmania, but won't play any home games in the state after this year.
The Tasmanian government want the Tigers to fill the void ahead of the Devils' likely entry into the AFL in 2028.
Cleary said the proposal would likely involve Richmond's home games at Marvel Stadium, which generally don't draw big crowds.
'Richmond are still working through this prospect and will determine it over the next couple of months, but we know Richmond have got a couple of games each year at Marvel Stadium. Their fans just don't rock up. They averaged 21,000 over the last five games at Marvel Stadium,' Cleary said on The Agenda Setters.
'The proposal has the Tigers moving a game or two down to Hobart to fill the void before the Devils come in because we know Hawthorn will play four games a season in Launceston for the foreseeable future, but when the North Melbourne Footy Club move their two games to Marvel from next year and get out of Tassie completely, there will be a void, a big hole down in Hobart, and the Tasmanian State Government want Richmond to fill that void.
'We know Richmond have had a strong history down in the Apple Isle. You think Ian Stewart, Royce Hart, Matthew Richardson, Michael Roach, some of the legends of the Richmond Footy Club from the Apple Isle.
'The two biggest games ever attended down in Tassie, both include Richmond. They've got history down there, and this is something the Tigers will work through in the next couple of years.'
Cleary added that the money, which could be in the millions, will help fund the club's redevelopment of Punt Road Oval.
'This is not a cash-strapped club by any stretch. They'll find a way, but an extra $1 million or $2 million for your club to work through something like this will help,' he continued.
'And we know the Tassie government want to spend up big because they want content down in Tassie before the Devils arrive. They can't have a gaping hole in the Hobart side of things for the next two years.'
AFL great Luke Hodge said it made sense for the Tigers to take up the offer given they are in a rebuilding stage.
'If you're making that decision ... they're not going to play finals over the next three or four years with all the young list and the turnout they've had, so why wouldn't you take them down there? Make some money before Tassie get a team,' he said.
Daily Thomas also agreed, especially if it's just taking away a game that would normally be played at Marvel Stadium.
'I think it makes sense, if it's just the Marvel swap, it probably makes more sense. They don't like it (Marvel Stadium). Dimma (former coach Damian Hardwick) said he hated it, and the fans agreed,' he said.
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