MYTH BUSTERS
Path to our Tassie team
THE taskforce building the case for a Tasmanian AFL team will address excuses usually given for why the state should miss out.
Taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey revealed the group had broken the argument into 23 questions that would be answered in full.
These range from unifying the state to the likelihood and value of AFL-size sponsorships.
TASMANIA’S AFL push is much more than just about money.
The state’s AFL Taskforce is now playing the role of mythbusters after the highly credentialed group broke down the state’s case to 23 sub-projects, chairman Brett Godfrey said.
The group is less than two months into the six-month project and, after spending most of phase one on a listening and talking tour, members are ready to roll up their sleeves and find innovative ideas and solutions to make an indisputable, sustainable case for Tasmania’s inclusion.
Mr Godfrey, the co-founder of Virgin Australia, said a Tasmanian team would be modelled on successful regional clubs such as Geelong in the AFL and the NRL’s North Queensland Cowboys.
“We’ve been told that the state’s too small, it’s been a story we’ve heard in perpetuity and not just me but the whole team acknowledges that that’s just such a furphy,” Mr Godfrey said.
“We can look at other sports like Townsville in the NRL — a very successful club with 15,000 people a game and they’ve got 178,000 population — and Geelong has 250,000 people and nine premierships.”
He said included in the list of 23 sub-projects were: WHAT the football club would look like in terms of culture. WHAT are the key attributes to a successful club. HOW to unify the state behind the team. UNDERSTANDING the AFL’s broadcast deals. VALUE OF sponsorships. LOCAL, national and multinational corporate support. WHAT state support would be required. WHAT will the state competition look like with an AFL team. WHAT effect an AFL team will have on talent pathway. WHAT happens after the taskforce’s report is completed.
He said understanding the broadcast deal was vital as any inclusion of a Tasmanian team would come at the start of a new TV and streaming contract.
Mr Godfrey said the group had spoken to six AFL presidents and had strong support from AFL House in terms of access to senior staff providing information and support on building a case.
“The one thing that I’ve learned in this process was when you talk about money being a driver and (Tasmania) being too small that’s rubbish,” he said. “The thing that I’ve learned — and I’ve talked to probably six club presidents — and it’s funny, money doesn’t buy you a premiership.
“It’s not about how much money you have in the bank. It’s not your wallet, it’s your leadership and how you deal with your players is super important.”
What happens after the taskforce has completed its project is just as important, because it could be some time before a licence becomes available.
“It’s really quite bigger than I thought it was going to be,” Mr Godfrey said.
“But that’s good. I’m happy for that because what we want to do is what’s not been done before and just make sure that if we do believe it is possible that it’s watertight and substantiated in every possible area.”
Former St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt and former Carlton coach Brendon Bolton have recently joined the taskforce alongside Mr Godfrey, former Woolworths boss Grant O’Brien, former Greater Western Sydney finance boss Paul Erikkson, executive chairman of Dynamic Sports and Entertainment Group James Henderson, Tasmanian businessman Errol Stewart and Lauderdale president Julie Kay.
Mr Godfrey said his group was learning from rejected proposals of the past.
“What we have to do is think a little bit outside the box and come up with innovative ideas and concepts that maybe the AFL and the state haven’t considered previously that actually saves us money or make us money for this project.
“You’ve got some very strong reputations round this table that will not sign their name to this document unless they believe it to be factual.”