Why isn't there a team in Tasmania?

Question

Did Aussie rules originate from there, was there ever a team there? I'm not up to date on much Aussie rules stuff so just wondering

Answer 1

Tasmania will eventually have a team in the AFL, but that will not be anytime soon. Thier is is a team playing in The VFL, based in Launcestern, and it is widely believed that if Tasmania were ever to have a team in the AFL then it would be the Launcestern one.

To say that Aussie rules grew out of Gaelic football is absurd. Whilst the current versions of the game do appear to have similar origins, thier roots are very different.

Answer 2

Aussie Rules originated in Victoria, which is why there are more Vic teams in the comp.

Tasmania doesn't have a team because the AFL would rather expand more to QLD and NSW so they can overtake the popularity of rugby there.

I personally believe that Tassie should have a team, along with the NT.

Answer 3

**I don't think that the AFL believe there would be enough money out of a new team in Tasmania, hence why they're pushing so much for a new team on the Gold Coast and another team in Western Sydney.**

Answer 4

there is not enough money in tasmania

Answer 5

There isn't a team in Tassie because they don't have the population - & most importantly, the corporate dollar to support them through coming years.

The AFL sold its soul to the commercial TV channels & it's all about money now. If C7 or C10 say they don't want footy in Tas - then there wont be a team based there.

It's as simple as that - believe it or not.

Answer 6

Tasmania is a traditional football state - in fact they have more registered players per capita than any other state.

The AFL has never had a side from Tassie, and are not intending to do so in the near future. This is due to a few factors - firstly they have a population of a bit under 500,000, growing at just 3,000 a year.

Where Western Sydney and SE QLD have much larger populations that are growing much, much faster.

The AFL also want more for the TV rights. Part of the TV deal was that Brisbane and Sydney would get live coverage on a saturday night. This is fine when the local side is playing, but a ratings disaster when the game is 'neutral'. By getting a second side into each market, the networks can ensure they get a 'home' game each week - therefore the rights are worth much more.

Money talks, while a loyal state - and one that has given the game legends like Hart, Stewart, Hudson and Baldock - is taken for granted.

Answer 7

AFL grew out of Irish Gaelic Football.

Tasmania deserve an AFL team.

Answer 8

No , the game originated in Melbourne, but Tas have provided some of the greatest players of all time, Hudson, Baldock, Nash and modern champs like Richo and Lync but to name a few, the AFL tell us that Tas don't have the population and business infrastucture to support a club but I reckon it's more that they want to push the game in NSW and QLD rather than preach to the converted. Tassie would love there own side and have been campaigning for one for a while now

Answer 9

Of course there is a need for a side in Tasmania. AFL is expanded enough for now. More consolidation is required. Demetriou is banking on "potential". The potential of winning Rugby support in an unwinnable situation. TV deals? What is left to tweak to try and make "potential" reality.

If Tasmania was given the leg up that other interstate clubs have been given, the whole population would get behind the move. After the knock-backs at Gold Coast, I'll bet there are a lot of undercover deals being discussed at the minute. Demetriou can't lose face, and will huff and puff his way through what is a mini crisis for him.

Answer 10

Hi Clucky.

No Aussie Rules originated outside the MCG> MelbourneCricket Ground. Some old cricket boys had a really warped soccer ball and just starter kicking it with their hands through trees.

Tasmania's support for Aussie Rules is not strong enough, hence no team. But there are some players from tasie playing. i.e John Macfarland..

Answer 11

Question has been asked a million times on here but you did admit you're not up to date.

Simple reasons - people and money.  Tassie is the poorest Australian state and so it struggles for sponsorship.  Most of the big companies there have no real affiliation with Tasmania (e.g. Cadbury, Australian Newsprint, North Broken Hill)  Incat is probably the exception.  So it's a bit hard to raise the money.  (You need roughly $20-30 million to kick off a team and $10 million a year after that)

One way you get some of that money is to have 40,000 members at $150 each ($6 million).  Trouble there is the population of Tassie is 400,000 so one in every ten (men, women and children) need to be full paying members who buy lots of gear.  We go back to "Tassie is the poorest Aussie state" and 150 bucks and a new Hawthorn jumper is a big ask for a large proportion of the population.

The half-pregnant thing they have at the moment with Hawthorn is probably the best they can do without the Government or AFL propping up a team.

Is it fair?  h**l no - but it's the way it is!

The answer again is that Tassie needs to become the 51st state of the USA.  Then all the Americans would come out to see their newest state and maybe catch a game of footy while they're there!!! (Not to mention the US Naval and Air Force bases that could support a good playing roster!) :-)