Latest news with #TasmaniaFootballClub
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
I love Tassie footy and we need a team. But the AFL's stadium ultimatum takes a special kind of arrogance
The question is not whether the introduction of a Tasmanian team to the AFL could have been handled better, but whether it could possibly have been handled worse. The two people I feel sorry for right now are Brendon Gale, the CEO of the newly formed Tasmania Football Club, and Grant O'Brien, its chairman. Both emerged from the Penguin Football Club, a great little Tasmanian footy club that battled the odds and won occasional premierships because they were a formidably tight unit. I believe Brendon and Grant love Tassie footy, as do I. The paradox at the heart of Australian football is that it's a great game by world standards played by a tiny percentage of the world's population. It's also a 19th century game. The art of keeping it alive in the 21st century is a measure of its leaders. Right now, in Tasmania, the organisation demonstrating this art with zest and conviction is the NBL 2023-24 premiers, the Jackjumpers. Head coach Scott Roth crisscrosses the state meeting locals and talking about his game. People are impressed. I hear his stories being retold. You could write a footy TV drama, a black comedy, and title it The Stadium. It would tell the story of a proud little footy state that battles away for well over a century – and, for a period in the 1960s, produces the best and most exciting talent in the country – and then finally gets its chance to play in the big time BUT … a condition is attached. A condition never attached before. The Stadium. Tassie will build, and basically pay for, a new stadium. Along with nearly all the AFL's brainstorms, the idea comes from America. It's a way of divorcing investors from the social costs of sport. The Stadium was also awarded – again, no one seems to know exactly how – the Macquarie Point site. Hobart's renowned beauty has two obvious aspects, the mountain and its colonial waterfront. The Stadium will dwarf the colonial waterfront, sitting behind it like a giant hamburger bun. (And good luck with the glass roof on days when the fierce old Tassie sun, unhindered by the ozone layer, breaks through). The first question my TV drama will ask is – whose idea was this? The AFL, you see, insist it is not theirs. They say it came from the presidents – that is, the 18 AFL presidents who meet on Tuesday to consider whether the Tasmania Football Club's invitation could be withdrawn in light of the ongoing trouble over this idea of theirs which has now precipitated a state election in which the two major parties will support The Stadium and a majority of Tasmanian voters will oppose it.
The Age
a day ago
- Sport
- The Age
I love Tassie footy and we need a team. But the AFL's stadium ultimatum takes a special kind of arrogance
The question is not whether the introduction of a Tasmanian team to the AFL could have been handled better, but whether it could possibly have been handled worse. The two people I feel sorry for right now are Brendon Gale, the CEO of the newly formed Tasmania Football Club, and Grant O'Brien, its chairman. Both emerged from the Penguin Football Club, a great little Tasmanian footy club that battled the odds and won occasional premierships because they were a formidably tight unit. I believe Brendon and Grant love Tassie footy, as do I. The paradox at the heart of Australian football is that it's a great game by world standards played by a tiny percentage of the world's population. It's also a 19th century game. The art of keeping it alive in the 21st century is a measure of its leaders. Right now, in Tasmania, the organisation demonstrating this art with zest and conviction is the NBL 2023-24 premiers, the Jackjumpers. Head coach Scott Roth crisscrosses the state meeting locals and talking about his game. People are impressed. I hear his stories being retold. You could write a footy TV drama, a black comedy, and title it The Stadium. It would tell the story of a proud little footy state that battles away for well over a century – and, for a period in the 1960s, produces the best and most exciting talent in the country – and then finally gets its chance to play in the big time BUT … a condition is attached. A condition never attached before. The Stadium. Tassie will build, and basically pay for, a new stadium. Along with nearly all the AFL's brainstorms, the idea comes from America. It's a way of divorcing investors from the social costs of sport. The Stadium was also awarded – again, no one seems to know exactly how – the Macquarie Point site. Hobart's renowned beauty has two obvious aspects, the mountain and its colonial waterfront. The Stadium will dwarf the colonial waterfront, sitting behind it like a giant hamburger bun. (And good luck with the glass roof on days when the fierce old Tassie sun, unhindered by the ozone layer, breaks through). The first question my TV drama will ask is – whose idea was this? The AFL, you see, insist it is not theirs. They say it came from the presidents – that is, the 18 AFL presidents who meet on Tuesday to consider whether the Tasmania Football Club's invitation could be withdrawn in light of the ongoing trouble over this idea of theirs which has now precipitated a state election in which the two major parties will support The Stadium and a majority of Tasmanian voters will oppose it.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Devils fear for AFL future amid Tasmania politics fight
The Tasmania Devils fear for their future as an AFL expansion club, amid growing political uncertainty in the island state. Labor is ready to pull the trigger on a no-confidence motion against Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff if it has the parliamentary numbers. It comes as Rockliff cops increasing heat over his party's financial management and plans for a new AFL stadium in Hobart. A 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a contractual condition of the Devils' entry into the AFL in 2028. In a statement on Wednesday, the Devils said the political uncertainty presents a "serious risk" to the club's future. "The political uncertainty that is currently unfolding in the Tasmanian Parliament is of great concern to Tasmania Football Club," the club statement said. "Like the rest of the community, we are unsure what will happen today and what the impacts of any actions taken might be. "What we do know is that uncertainty presents a serious risk for jobs, investment and growth, and for the future of Tasmania Football Club. "Tasmania Football Club remains steadfast on building a Club for all Tasmanians. We are also steadfast on staying out of politics. "We ask that our political leaders understand the implications of their actions and decisions on the future of our state for all Tasmanians, a future which we know Tasmania Football Club can play a significant part." The cost of the waterfront Macquarie Point stadium has blown out to almost $1 billion. The slated cost is $945 million, up from the previous estimate of $755 million and the original figure of $715 million. Cricket Australia has also raised concerns about the proposed hatched roof design, which it says will prevent daylight cricket being played at the venue because of shadows cast on the field. The Tasmania Devils fear for their future as an AFL expansion club, amid growing political uncertainty in the island state. Labor is ready to pull the trigger on a no-confidence motion against Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff if it has the parliamentary numbers. It comes as Rockliff cops increasing heat over his party's financial management and plans for a new AFL stadium in Hobart. A 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a contractual condition of the Devils' entry into the AFL in 2028. In a statement on Wednesday, the Devils said the political uncertainty presents a "serious risk" to the club's future. "The political uncertainty that is currently unfolding in the Tasmanian Parliament is of great concern to Tasmania Football Club," the club statement said. "Like the rest of the community, we are unsure what will happen today and what the impacts of any actions taken might be. "What we do know is that uncertainty presents a serious risk for jobs, investment and growth, and for the future of Tasmania Football Club. "Tasmania Football Club remains steadfast on building a Club for all Tasmanians. We are also steadfast on staying out of politics. "We ask that our political leaders understand the implications of their actions and decisions on the future of our state for all Tasmanians, a future which we know Tasmania Football Club can play a significant part." The cost of the waterfront Macquarie Point stadium has blown out to almost $1 billion. The slated cost is $945 million, up from the previous estimate of $755 million and the original figure of $715 million. Cricket Australia has also raised concerns about the proposed hatched roof design, which it says will prevent daylight cricket being played at the venue because of shadows cast on the field. The Tasmania Devils fear for their future as an AFL expansion club, amid growing political uncertainty in the island state. Labor is ready to pull the trigger on a no-confidence motion against Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff if it has the parliamentary numbers. It comes as Rockliff cops increasing heat over his party's financial management and plans for a new AFL stadium in Hobart. A 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a contractual condition of the Devils' entry into the AFL in 2028. In a statement on Wednesday, the Devils said the political uncertainty presents a "serious risk" to the club's future. "The political uncertainty that is currently unfolding in the Tasmanian Parliament is of great concern to Tasmania Football Club," the club statement said. "Like the rest of the community, we are unsure what will happen today and what the impacts of any actions taken might be. "What we do know is that uncertainty presents a serious risk for jobs, investment and growth, and for the future of Tasmania Football Club. "Tasmania Football Club remains steadfast on building a Club for all Tasmanians. We are also steadfast on staying out of politics. "We ask that our political leaders understand the implications of their actions and decisions on the future of our state for all Tasmanians, a future which we know Tasmania Football Club can play a significant part." The cost of the waterfront Macquarie Point stadium has blown out to almost $1 billion. The slated cost is $945 million, up from the previous estimate of $755 million and the original figure of $715 million. Cricket Australia has also raised concerns about the proposed hatched roof design, which it says will prevent daylight cricket being played at the venue because of shadows cast on the field.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Great concern': Future of Tassie Devils at risk amid political turmoil
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing a no-confidence motion after increasing heat over his party's financial management and plans for a new AFL stadium in Hobart. The state Liberal premier's grip on power appears to be sliding, with Labor ready to pull the trigger on a no-confidence motion on Wednesday morning if it has the parliamentary numbers. The Tasmania Football Club, known as the Devils, has expressed 'great concern' over the political uncertainty enveloping the Tasmanian government. 'The political uncertainty that is currently unfolding in the Tasmanian Parliament is of great concern to Tasmania Football Club,' Tasmania Football Club said in a statement on social media. 'Like the rest of the community, we are unsure what will happen today and what the impacts of any actions taken might be. What we do know is that uncertainty presents a serious risk for jobs, investment and growth, and for the future of Tasmania Football Club. 'Tasmania Football Club remains steadfast on building a club for all Tasmanians. We are also steadfast on staying out of politics. We ask that our political leaders understand the implications of their actions and decisions on the future of our state for all Tasmanians, a future which we know Tasmania Football Club can play a significant part.' Last week's Tasmanian state budget predicted debt would more than double to $10.8 billion in four years' time with deficits each year. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, are governing with a minority of just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house.
West Australian
7 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Devils fear for AFL future amid Tasmania politics fight
The Tasmania Devils fear for their future as an AFL expansion club, amid growing political uncertainty in the island state. Labor is ready to pull the trigger on a no-confidence motion against Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff if it has the parliamentary numbers. It comes as Rockliff cops increasing heat over his party's financial management and plans for a new AFL stadium in Hobart. A 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a contractual condition of the Devils' entry into the AFL in 2028. In a statement on Wednesday, the Devils said the political uncertainty presents a "serious risk" to the club's future. "The political uncertainty that is currently unfolding in the Tasmanian Parliament is of great concern to Tasmania Football Club," the club statement said. "Like the rest of the community, we are unsure what will happen today and what the impacts of any actions taken might be. "What we do know is that uncertainty presents a serious risk for jobs, investment and growth, and for the future of Tasmania Football Club. "Tasmania Football Club remains steadfast on building a Club for all Tasmanians. We are also steadfast on staying out of politics. "We ask that our political leaders understand the implications of their actions and decisions on the future of our state for all Tasmanians, a future which we know Tasmania Football Club can play a significant part." The cost of the waterfront Macquarie Point stadium has blown out to almost $1 billion. The slated cost is $945 million, up from the previous estimate of $755 million and the original figure of $715 million. Cricket Australia has also raised concerns about the proposed hatched roof design, which it says will prevent daylight cricket being played at the venue because of shadows cast on the field.
