WE WON’T ABANDON TASMANIA
Footy boss’s pledge to ‘founding state’
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has used his speech at the AFL’s official season launch to pledge his support to footy in Tasmania.
Following weeks of pressure from the Mercury after Mr McLachlan in- famously denied there was a crisis in Tassie footy because it could be viewed “through different lenses”, last night he vowed he would not “abandon” a state that has produced some of football’s biggest stars.
In his speech at the official AFL season launch, the chief executive said: “I promise you, the AFL will not forget or abandon one of our founding states. Football is about a sense of belonging and connection and we will work with all of Tasmania and its fans to ensure that happens.”
He did, however, fail to provide any concrete plans to resurrect the state of Tasmanian football ahead of his expected visit here next week.
Premier Will Hodgman said he was looking forward to his meeting with Mr McLachlan as the crisis was “not acceptable” and “a sustainable long-term plan is needed urgently”.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has pledged his support to embattled Tasmania amid criticism of the league’s priorities.
The AFL has come under fire for letting the former football stronghold wither on the vine as historic clubs battle to field teams.
Last night McLachlan vowed the league would not “abandon” a state that has produced some of football’s biggest stars.
But in his speech at the official AFL season launch, the chief executive failed to provide any concrete plans to resurrect the state of Tasmanian football.
Mr McLachlan is expected to fly to Hobart next week to meet new AFL Tasmania chief executive Trisha Squires.
“In Tasmania, there is a divide and there are some issues which need to be addressed,” Mr McLachlan said.
“But I promise you, the AFL will not forget or abandon one of our founding states. Football is about a sense of belonging and connection and we will work with all of Tasmania and its fans to ensure that happens.”
He will also meet a working group set up to find a solution to dwindling numbers in senior ranks and a growing loss of teams and clubs.
State League clubs Burnie and Devonport recently withdrew from the state’s highest competition citing a lack of numbers as the catalyst.
Brighton Football Club narrowly avoided mothballs before the Southern Football League had even started, barely able to put together a senior team let alone a reserves team to underpin it.
Since its SOS last week, the Robins have found enough players to put together both teams in time for its opening round game against Sorell at Pontville Oval in three weeks.
But Oatlands District Football Association club Swansea is now desperate for players.
AFL Tasmania says numbers are increasing in junior participation, but mainly due to girls taking up the game.
Tasmanian Football Council general manager Jackson Hills said more must be done to bring boys through the pathway so that in 10 years there will be enough players to fill senior teams.
On a day in which the AFL met with club CEOs, presidents and coaches, it ruled out introducing a mid-season draft or trade period this year and again failed to clarify the 2018 Grand Final start time.
The teams were also reminded of their obligations to the AFL’s respect and responsibility policy, six months after the league itself was engulfed by extramarital office affairs.
The AFL will invite two senior coaches to sit on its new consultation panel to steer the direction of the game.