AFL dollars down but fans urged to turn up

TASMANIA should not expect the same tourism return on its AFL investment his season but locals need to still support the games, the industry’s peak body says.

Hawthorn (17th) will host Tasmanian co-tenant North Melbourne (18th and yet to win a game) in Launceston on Saturday, the third of the state’s eight AFL games this season.

The two teams occupy the bottom two spots on the AFL ladder, with the Hawks only attracting 15,277 fans at the MCG on Sunday, while a record low 6007 Roos fans turned up at their game against unbeaten Melbourne in Hobart earlier this month.

The state pays a combined $8m a season to both clubs as part of a winter tourism package and economic stimulus.

But Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin warned there most likely won’t be the economic return from interstate travel this year as seasons passed, so it was important locals turned up for the games.

“I doubt this year we are going to have much of an interstate visitation impact but normally with a game like this Victorian clubs generate the greatest intrastate movement, but whether you are going to get a lot of that for 17th v 18th I don’t know,” Mr Martin said.

“I hope Tasmanians get out and support it because we keep beating the drum on this — we want more all Victorian team clashes and any excuse for the AFL to do us over would be that ‘they (Tasmanians) don’t support them.’

“Tasmanians should show up in force and send a message we want to support these games and we want more all Victorian content at both ends of the state.

“And if you’re a Hawthorn faithful, you’ve had a very good run for 10 years so it is time to throw some love and support during their long overdue rebuild.”

University of Tasmania’s capacity on Saturday is at 100 per cent for seats (13,106) and an additional 250 people on the Railway Workers Hill for COVID spacing.

Premier Peter Gutwein said locals needed to continue to show up to games.

“While ladder positions are obviously not known when the fixture is drawn up, I’m sure Tasmanian members and supporters of both teams will welcome the opportunity to see them square off in our version of a ‘local derby’, along with football followers generally within Tasmania and from interstate,” Mr Gutwein said.

“We know how much Tasmanians love their footy and I am confident people will support games into the future, as we continue to work towards our own AFL team.”