By Peter Ryan
In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of football news
- Former Magpie Mark Keane has joined Adelaide
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese positive about new stadium in Hobart
Former Collingwood defender Mark Keane will resume his AFL career with the Adelaide Crows in 2023 after they added him to their rookie list, signing him during the pre-season supplemental period.
Keane decided to remain in Ireland last year rather than fulfil the final year of his contract with the Magpies leaving them short of tall defenders when Charlie Dean was injured and Jordan Roughead retired.
The 22-year-old had been progressing well at the Magpies, playing five games but struggled with homesickness during the pandemic when it was difficult to travel to and from Ireland.
Mark Keane has joined the Crows a year after leaving the Magpies to return to IrelandCredit:Getty Images
He becomes the second former Magpie to join the Crows this week, with Tyler Brown also signed to the club. Adelaide also signed popular Collingwood defender Jack Madgen to play for their SANFL side in 2023.
The Crows wanted to fill the void left by Fischer McAsey’s retirement, adding depth to their defence with Keane expected to begin training next week.
List manager Justin Reid said Keane would complement their young backline while the Irishman said he was now in a position to commit to living in Australia.
“I never lost the passion to play the sport and when the opportunity arose to come back it was something I obviously considered very strongly,” Keane said.
“The circumstances are right and so is the timing on the back of winning an All-Ireland Grand Final with my club Ballygiblin.
“I will be able to have my family and friends fly out and visit which will make a big difference and I’ll also have the support of my partner Caoimha who will be moving to Adelaide as well so we are very excited about what lies ahead.”
HOBART STADIUM DECISION BY MAY
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff hopes the federal government can give the state an indication before the May budget on whether they will receive the $240 million funding required to build a new multi-purpose, roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart, which would open the way for the AFL to grant a licence for a standalone Tasmanian team to join the competition.
The department of infrastructure is considering Tasmania’s business case for the new stadium – which would be completed by 2029 – after receiving the proposal just before Christmas. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated a desire to renew the Macquarie Point precinct with a new stadium, as long as the return on investment was positive.
“What you don’t want is a stadium that, when things aren’t happening, there is no economic activity in the area,” Albanese said.
“So that means that you need a transport hub, increased ferry investment has already been committed to by the government when we went to the last election, the rail line that runs through the site, of course, provides an opportunity for further investment.”
Albanese also indicated the federal government wanted a commitment from the AFL that they were prepared to invest in the site and potentially shoulder some of the risk for the funding proposal to be approved.
The federal government is considering the state’s bid for $240 million to build a new stadium in HobartCredit:The Age
The AFL already plays games at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena and Launceston’s UTAS Stadium with North Melbourne and Hawthorn receiving government funds via sponsorship to play home games in the state.
“They [the AFL] are going to be major beneficiaries of this and I would like to see the AFL commit to maximise the support that it can give,” he said.
“They have been given substantial taxpayer support in the past and have benefited from the investment. A Tasmanian team will produce returns for the AFL over a period of time.”
The AFL have committed $15 million to the stadium while the state government has committed $375 million to the stadium build as well as $205 million over the next 12 years to underpin a standalone Tasmanian team in the AFL.
The funding proposal does not enjoy unilateral support in Tasmania, with the state ALP and Greens opposing the use of taxpayer money to build a stadium. Significant concerns also remain at ground level on the impact a stadium would have on the Truth and Reconciliation Art Park earmarked for the site.
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