Two of the AFL’s key executives have been assigned to the Tasmanian government in order to help with the decision about a club on the island.
Next year, all 18 AFL clubs will vote on whether Tasmania should get its own team.
Colin Carter, former president of Geelong, conducted an independent report about the merits and benefits of a club in Tasmania. He concluded that the state should be represented by a club.
The AFL confirmed Travis Auld, chief financial officer of the league, and Sam Graham, its general manager, will be working with the Tasmanian licensing taskforce and the government.
“We are at an important juncture, in the continuing assessment of modeling for a possible team in Tasmania,” AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan stated on Wednesday.
Travis and Sam will be our leaders, Travis having played a key leadership role in ensuring that the AFLW and AFLW seasons were successful during the COVID pandemic.
“Sam, who has held key leadership positions in game development and growth in NSW, will now be solely focused on this project. This will ensure that we are in a favorable position to go to the AFL club presidents next season.”
This comes after Alastair Clarkson, a four-time Hawthorn premiership winner, was able to assist the Tasmanian AFL taskforce.
Clarkson is now in the United States, starting a year off from coaching. He has been an active supporter of the state’s quest to grant the 19th AFL license.
During Clarkson’s 17-season tenure with the Hawks, Hawthorn was a home game in Launceston for all of Clarkson’s games.
Clarkson asked for an AFL club to be formed in Tasmania after his last game as Hawthorn’s manager.
Peter Gutwein, Tasmania’s premier, said that a review of community football in Tasmania will coincide with the AFL call.
Gutwein stated that “We want to see Tasmania get its own AFL and AFLW team in the national competition while also strengthening the base of football here in Tasmania.”
“It makes sense to determine the best path forward for the game of Tasmania after the licensing process has been completed.
“The AFL and Tasmanian joint licence taskforce working group is currently working through the Carter Report before a final position is presented to AFL club presidents.”
