Jack backs Tassie side
RICHMOND star Jack Riewoldt says he hopes plans for a Tasmanian AFL team will be back on the agenda soon.
Speaking just days after the Tigers’ third premiership in four years, Riewoldt said he was hopeful the pandemic hadn’t stalled progress.
“We all know what footy means to Tasmanians and for them to have their own side would make it a truly national competition,” he said.
RICHMOND spearhead Jack Riewoldt has no doubt AFL House has been looking seriously at a potential team from his home state — and hopes the impact of COVID- 19 doesn’t torpedo progress made.
On the back of a comprehensive report written by Tasmania’s AFL task force and released earlier this year, the prospect of a Tasmanian team joining the national competition was gathering momentum.
However, the coronavirus crisis has thrown a cloud over any potential expansion as league bosses count the cost of the 2020 season.
Speaking following the Tigers’ third premiership in four years on Saturday night, Riewoldt said he was unsure whether COVID- 19 would have a positive or negative effect on Tasmania’s hopes.
“I actually don’t know. I think financially the AFL is in a bit of a tricky position, it is an interesting one,” Riewoldt said.
“I don’t know whether I can give you an answer on that one to be honest.
“I don’t know whether it is going to help it or hurt it.
“I feel like unfortunately it has been parked a little bit due to the fact the AFL has so many more things on its plate now with this season and the way it has looked.
“I just hope that it can get back on the agenda again and that support can continue to build.
“It is certainly growing and there are a few people I know at AFL House who are starting to look at it as a viable prospect.
“We all know what footy means to Tasmanians and for them to have their own side would make it a truly national competition.”
Riewoldt’s cousin and St Kilda champion Nick, a member of the Tasmanian task force, said in August he was confident 18 months of hard work to push the state onto the national stage was not undone.
His view came after Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the competition would be set back a decade from the fallout of coronavirus.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT FOOTY MEANS TO TASMANIANS AND FOR THEM TO HAVE THEIR OWN SIDE WOULD MAKE IT A TRULY NATIONAL COMPETITION
RICHMOND STAR JACK RIEWOLDT