LET US PLAY

Hawks keen for ‘one or two’ games at UTAS

HAWTHORN wants Tasmania’s borders opened as soon as possible so it can ramp up pressure on the AFL to schedule “one or two” games at UTAS Stadium later in the season.

In announcing an easing to stage three coronavirus restrictions yesterday, Premier Peter Gutwein said AFL games in the state were “possible” later this year once the walls come down. Hawthorn president Kennett wants to be among the first to know so the Hawks can pack their bags for Tasmania.

“Playing in Tasmania is everything to us — we have been committed to Tassie for 20 years,” Kennett said.

“We’ve got the largest paid-up membership of any organisation in Tasmania.

“We’ve been investing in the state and bringing our members down to Tasmania on a regular basis so it’s very much part of our psyche — we are the Tasmanian Hawks.

“I look forward to the Premier lifting his borders and the AFL being able to schedule Hawthorn playing one or two games down there this year.”

North Melbourne was also excited by the possibility and expected that goal posts could be installed at Blundstone Arena to make it happen — when borders come down and the interstate firm that removes the cricket sight-screens can access the state.

“We welcome any moves that will allow crowds in to our upcoming games in Tasmania,” a club spokesman said. “We will continue to work closely with the State Government and the AFL on a fixture arrangement that is mutually beneficial to all parties.”

The Premier said games with no crowds were banned, so Government-backed AFL games will only be considered when fans can attend. “There is a possibility that AFL could be played in the state this season,” Mr Gutwein said.

Kennett said the AFL could not schedule games here until Tasmania gave it certainty about its border protections and opportunity for interstate travel.