Facelift preparing Oval for TSL final

THE North Hobart Demons are delighted to share their redeveloped venue for the TSL grand final if it’s in the south.

AFL Tasmania has announced that North Hobart Oval will host the TSL grand final — should a southern team qualify for the grand final first — due to Blundstone Arena being out of action while preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup.

North Hobart president Craig Martin said his club supports the move and is optimistic the local footy public will too.

“We’re delighted to host the grand final and if circumstances allow for it to be back at the spiritual home of Tasmanian footy it will be a good move for everyone,” Martin said.

“As AFL Tasmania said, it is close to the CBD and the pubs and bars in North Hobart, it’s in a great location for the public. I’m sure the majority of the Tasmanian football community feel the same about the prospect of the grand final being played at North Hobart Oval.”

The facilities at the oval are currently having a $1.2million redevelopment and the public will get its first experience of the upgrades at the AFLW round five match between the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows.

Another change to the TSL will be a four-team finals series, rather than the fiveteam system from previous years, and Martin is optimistic last season’s wooden spooners North Hobart can make finals actions.

“Put it this way, statistically we improved by eight goals a game from 2018 to 2019,” Martin said.

“If we can do that again, which is achievable with the recruiting and development of our list, we are a chance.”