Footy winners galore

THE so-called “Tassie Derby” is firing up Hawthorn and North Melbourne fans ahead of today’s clash at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.

Bragging rights as the best Tassie-affiliated AFL team will be on the line and president of the Hobart Hawks Supporters Group Brett Archer says he can’t wait for the game.

“It’s exciting that it’s the two Tassie adopted teams playing each other and it’d be great to get the bragging rights,” Mr Archer said.

“It’s just great that we have footy in the state and I want to keep supporting it while we have it here.

“I go up to every game in Launceston with people from the Hobart Hawks Supporters Group and we stay the night in a hotel and go out for dinner after the game and then go for breakfast the next morning and really make a weekend of it.”

While the game can only have one winner, Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality industries will also score bigtime. Launceston hotels and restaurants have been booked out for the weekend.

Co-owner of Stillwater Restaurant Bianca Welsh — who also helps run Stillwater Seven accommodation and the Black Cow Bistro Restaurant — said the AFL always helped turnover.

“We are fully booked this weekend at all three venues,” Mrs Welsh said.

“We’ve always been very grateful of the footy being in Launceston during winter.”

She said her businesses had set record numbers for this time of year.

“The Stillwater Restaurant has been open for 20 years and the Black Cow has been open for 12 years and both have had their strongest ever period over those three months,” she said.

Another business to benefit from the AFL and an influx of interstate visitors is Launceston’s Hotel Verge.

The hotel opened in September and general manager Kate Bucknell said business was strong.

“We are fully booked for this Saturday and we’ve been really busy the last few months,” Ms Bucknell said.

“Football is definitely a key driver for us.”

Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Bailey emphasised the importance of AFL being played in Launceston.

“AFL is critical for Launceston because it drives tourism into the market,” Mr Bailey said.