Today is the day, Tasmania.
One of the AFL’s most momentous occasions has arrived, with league chief executive Gillon McLachlan bound for Hobart to confirm the famous football state has been granted the 19th licence.
After the federal government on Saturday confirmed it would cover the $240 million shortfall to fund a new multi-purpose stadium at Macquarie Point — the penultimate and arguably most significant hurdle for Tasmania’s entry into the league — all 18 clubs on Tuesday morning reportedly supported the bid before the AFL Commission agreed to a formal ratification.
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In a punchy press released on Tuesday night, McLachlan said: “See you in Tassie tomorrow.”
Multiple reports have suggested McLachlan will front a press conference in Hobart at 2pm (AEST), alongside Premier Jeremy Rockliff, as well as great Tasmanian footballers Alastair Lynch and Jack Riewoldt. How much is revealed about the team’s entry — including whether its first season will be in 2027 or 2028 — remains uncertain.
Speaking with reporters at the airport on Wednesday morning, McLachlan suggested there was still some paperwork to be finalised, but said “an exciting day” loomed.
“I’m looking forward to going down today. I’ll catch up with the Premier I hope,” McLachlan told reporters.
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“We’ve got a little bit to do yet, but I’m pleased to be getting on a plane heading down there.
“It’s been a big journey, a couple of things to do, but a lot of people have put in a lot of work and if we can get there this morning, it’d be a huge day for footy and for Tasmania.”
The confirmation of a Tassie team — and unanimous support from all club presidents — comes after opposition from several key AFL figures in recent years.
While he didn’t name names, AFL broadcaster Alister Nicholson — a long-time supporter of a Tasmanian team — said history would judge anti-Tasmania campaigners “quite poorly”.
“I think there are a couple of people at clubs who will reflect on their time during this campaign and they should probably feel embarrassed,” Nicholson told ABC’s Offsiders.
“They put self-interest ahead of the game and ahead of their constituents.
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“There are people put into positions to act on behalf of their members and the majority of their members wanted this team.
“They have thought about this from the perspective of ‘what do we stand to lose’, not from ‘what does the competition stand to gain from the entry of Tasmania’.”
Former Suns chairman Tony Cochrane on Tuesday admitted he was initially “very negative and very against the whole proposal” to have a 19th licence, but lauded McLachlan’s negotiating ability to get the team up.
“I’d certainly gone through hell with our experience and I didn’t want to see the same hell down in Tasmania,” Cochrane told SEN’s Whateley.
“Credit to the AFL. They’re blessed with one incredible negotiator in Gillon McLachlan. If you stop and think for a moment, the AFL as a sport has generated nearly $1 billion out of the governments of Tasmania and Federal towards this proposal. Any sport anywhere in the world would be very happy to be funded to that degree.
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“It wouldn’t have got up (12 months ago) because very sensibly the AFL Commission wanted consensus from the AFL presidents.
“Day one it would have struggled. I know people don’t like it when people take a negative approach. Personally, I think the two years of internal debate and really going back through the whole process has really generated the best result.
“I think the fact that there has been people prepared to stand up and say ‘look we don’t think this stacks up or will work financially’ … I think that’s healthy. I have no problem with that.
“The last thing an organisation needs is a bunch of yes-people sitting around and agreeing with everyone.”
MORE TO COME
