4 replies to this topic

[Amelia Jane]

I think Tasmania has to come into the league. Tasmanians deserve to see their state represented in the league. They love Aussie Rules and are being treated with contempt. They should be considered way before West Sydney and the Gold Coast. I would also much prefer Norther Territory to come into the league rather than a second team in Sydney and Queensland. After all, these states love their football and are being overlooked all the time.

[Caveman]

I agree with you about a team (or TEAMS) from Van Diemen's Land coming into the competition. Should be two, one from the North of VDL and the other from Hobart.

Yet I could tolerate the West Sydney team, for the sole reason to begin with that surely a ladder with three teams sporting the name West or Western would just be so ludicrous that commons sense would prevail with one of the three clubs. You all know which one I mean

I will go into that in greater detail soon.

[DMcG]

hear hear Caveman, I love how you can turn any football debate into one about the true name of our club!

[Lisbon]

The Victorian Premier is now supporting Tasmania's AFL bid.

Here's an article that appeared in the AFL site (the AFL publishing this may be a sign that they are at least considering Tasmania's bid):

VICTORIAN premier John Brumby has thrown his support behind a Tasmanian club entering the AFL.

Brumby, speaking at the launch of the International Rules series at the MCG on Monday, said he was aware Tasmania, led by Labor Senator Kerry O'Brien, was taking the Apple Isle's case to Canberra, where the island state is pushing for a senate inquiry.

"Tasmania has been a great supporter of AFL and I think it'd be great if there was a possibility of a Tasmanian AFL team," Brumby said.

"But there is always a lot of work that needs to be done in relation to these matters.

"The senate inquiry might examine some of those issues, but I certainly know that there have been plenty of people who have spoken to me over the last few months that they are keen to see this occur and put in a good word to the AFL, so I've just done that."

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the AFL was aware of Tasmania's latest bid to join the national competition.

"Tasmania, as we all know has been a fantastic heartland of football for more than 100 years and it's a vital part of the support base of the AFL competition," Anderson said.

"I understand that they are putting together a proposal for a participation of a team in the Australian Football League for some time in the future and we certainly welcome that and I understand it's gathering some momentum."
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[Caveman]

Well if they want the competition to be truly national then a Tasmanian side or sides must come in. I say sides because they would probably need two teams- one from Hobart and the other from the north of Tasmania.

They are a genuine Aussie Rules state and would have the same following or better than what the Western Suburbs of Sydney could offer. What I mean here is that the Western Suburbs of Sydney couldn't give a continental about Aussie Rules, so despite having a larger population, whats the point if no one there really cares?

We could then see the AFL as a proper national league rather than just a competition where the expansionist teams are just basically 'franchise 'clubs for the television $$$$ and nothing else.