The state’s remarkably rich football heritage is to be rewarded with the league’s 19th licence after a decades-long bid for recognition
produced a performance so powerful the AFL’s “true believer” declared the Apple Isle would soon field a team in the national competition. Almost 33 years after the AFL’s executive commissioner Alan Schwab watched Tasmania defeat Victoria at North Hobart Oval, his prophecy will finally become a reality.
That win, which came 30 years after Tasmania first knocked off Victoria, prompted coach Robert Shaw to declare it time theinvested properly in the “dinky-die” footy state. A decades-long journey followed, full of shirtfronts, mongrel punts and flirtations with interstate teams, with Tasmania denied time and again.Self-interest from the old guard threatened to scuttle the latest bid as well.
The existing 18 AFL clubs joined a telephone hook-up at 3pm on Friday for an update on the development. Tasmania will join the AFL. For a state with a remarkably rich football heritage, it seems milestone moments occur every three decades or so. None are more monumental than this for the Tasmanian men and women who have a chance to wear the state’s colours with pride.
The celebrations aside, Shaw pondered this week why the antipathy and indifference from the mainland had lasted for so long. “Is there another example anywhere in the world of a place that has had to scrap so hard, for so long, to secure a place at the top level of a sport they helped create?”
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tasmania 'beautiful place to live,' premiership winner says, amid concerns over retaining new AFL teamCurrent and former AFL players and coaches have come to the defence of Tasmania as a destination for players, following comments from Hawthorn captain James Sicily that he 'couldn't imagine' living there.
Read more »
The ‘worst kept secret’ in Australia involves Tasmania and AFLThe “worst kept secret” in Australia is the announcement of more than $200 million for a stadium in Tasmania as part of the AFL’s conditions for enlisting a Tasmanian team, says Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. “With various demands on the budget and criticisms of no new spending in the forward estimates on defence – the government risks being criticised for this announcement,” Mr Clennell said. “But it will be popular with AFL followers and in the state of Tasmania where the government hopes to win a couple of seats at the next election.”
Read more »
One down, one to go: Albanese begins stadium cash splash tour of TasmaniaAnthony Albanese stands beside Tasmania's Liberal Premier to make the first of two stadium funding announcements — fending off criticism he is diverting funds away from housing and health considerations.
Read more »
New detail in AFL great's 'mind-blowing' affairIt was the scandalous incident that split an AFL club apart. Now the player at the centre of the scandal has made a key admission.
Read more »