GUTWEIN PLAYS HARDBALL

AFL COPS ULTIMATUM: NO TEAM, NO CASH

IT’S official — Tasmania will end its multimillion-dollar contract negotiations with Hawthorn and North Melbourne beyond this year unless the AFL commits to a timeline for a stand-alone team from the state.

Premier Peter Gutwein has issued the ultimatum in a formal letter to the AFL. Until then, the state will not talk with the two Melbourne-based clubs which are entering the final year of lucrative deals to play four home games each in Tasmania. But Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said he feared a stand-alone Tassie team would be a financial “disaster”.

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has sent a formal letter to the AFL threatening to end multimillion-dollar contract negotiations with Hawthorn and North Melbourne beyond this year.

The letter, which was sent to league headquarters in recent days, demands the AFL lock into a timetable for the introduction of a stand-alone Tasmanian team.

Until then, the state has declared it will not engage in conversations with the two Melbourne-based clubs, that are entering the final year of lucrative deals to play four home games each in Tasmania.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said last night he feared a stand-alone Tasmanian AFL side could be a financial “disaster” for the state and the code unless it received substantial, long-term funding from the state government.

Mr Kennett said that while the Hawks wanted to renew their two-decade long association with Tasmania, the club was already looking at potential exit strategies in case a new deal was off the table.

“From Hawthorn’s point of view, we have been there for 20 years, we have invested a great deal of time and effort into Tasmania and we would like to stay,” he said.

“However, we have to think about our own obligations to our members. We would be irresponsible as club administrations if we weren’t considering all options now.”

North Melbourne chief executive Ben Amarfio said the Kangaroos remained committed to trying to strike a deal to extend their association with Tasmania.

But unless a resolution or a compromise is found – and soon – the league faces the prospect of no AFL matches in Tasmania in 2022 and beyond.

A spokesman for the state government confirmed Mr Gutwein had a phone conversation with AFL chief Gillon McLachlan after the letter had been sent and expected an answer back from the AFL in the coming days.

“The Premier has recently written to the AFL in relation to Tasmania’s continued bid for an AFL licence,” the spokesman said.

“We understand that there was an AFL Commission meeting this week which included discussion on a potential Tasmanian AFL licence.

“The Premier has had a telephone conversation with Mr McLachlan subsequent to this meeting and been advised that he will receive a response to his letter in coming days.”

Mr Kennett said the Hawks would accept the AFL’s decision.

But he feared that unless the government was able to substantially underwrite the finances of a potential 19th AFL franchise in Tasmania for a number of years, it could prove “disastrous”.

“I would hate Tasmania to throw out Hawthorn and North Melbourne and end up with a team that is so financially bereft that it can’t compete.

“It would be a disaster for Tassie, it would be a disaster for the AFL.”

The Tasmanian task force recommended the state have its own stand-alone AFL team by 2025, but any thoughts of that were put on hold owing to the league’s devastating financial squeeze caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

JEWELLERY with a message is nothing new for Tasmanian-owned retailer Francesca, but the latest conservation charm will go the extra mile for an ecological cause.

Francesca co-founder Hannah Vasicek has overseen the launch of monthly “awareness bracelets” raising funds for bushfire relief, mental health and other causes.

The conservation charm — depicting two hands holding a branch — will become the first year-long fixture in the awareness collection.

“For every charm sold we’re going to plant a tree with Landcare Tasmania,” Ms Vasicek said. “Our team are also going to have a tree planting day, a lot of the girls are extremely passionate so it’ll be fun.”

Ms Vasicek said the brand was working towards B Corporation certification, granted to businesses with the highest social and environmental standards.

The conservation charm is available in the Hobart and Melbourne stores or via francesca.com.au