BRETT GODFREY: TASMANIA MUST HAVE OWN AFL TEAM

HAWTHORN president Jeff Kennett says the Hawks support Tasmania’s “aspirations” for a stand-alone AFL club but believes the league is “four or five” years away from being able to sustain it.

KennettsaidHawthornhad started talks over an extension to its deal to play four home gamesayearinLaunceston.

The $4m-a-season arrangement, backed by the Tasmaniangovernment,expiresat theendofnextseason.

North Melbourne’s deal to play home games in Hobart alsohasayeartorun.

“Discussions have started bbetween the bbureaucrats in Tassie and someoftheadministrators at Hawthorn, but they are very early stages,” Kennettsaid. But reworked deals are likely to be the last, with Tasmania stiffening its resolve to securealicence.

The contracts could include bridging clauses, directly linking the extensions to Tasmania’s entry into the AFL competitionassoonas2025.

While AFL chiefs remain noncommittal, support for a Tasmanian team among rival club bosses had grown before theCOVIDfinancialcrisis.

“We have joined with the Tasmanian Government in their aspirations,” Kennett said.“Wehavesaidthatwewill help them if we can. We are notopposedtotheconcept.”

Asked if it was a matter of “if not when” Tasmania got its ownteam,Kennettsaid:“Well, togofromnoteamtoateamis more than when. A whole lot of things have got to be put in place and it’s not entirely up to Tasmania.

“But right now, the concept of a 19th team anywhere — when 12 teams are assisted by the AFL to meet their operatingcosts—isnotanoption.”

Kangaroos chief executive BenAmarfiosaid:“NorthMelbournehasexpresseditsdesire to begin discussions on an extension of its current agreement with Spirit of Tasmania [TT-Line] that incorporates fourhomesgamestobeplayed atBlundstoneArena.

“North … is committed to becoming the No.1 sports and entertainment offering in Tasmania.”