AFL 19th Team in TAS Yah or Nah

Trying2SaveABuck on 04/05/2023 - 12:21
Last edited 04/05/2023 - 12:22

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/tasmania-afl-team-live-stre…

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-30/afl-hobart-stadium-fe…

So Tassie are 'finally' getting an AFL team - as AFL fan i personally support the 19th side entering the competition, I felt Tasmania deserved an AFL franchiees before both GWS and GCS so it is good to see they're finally getting their turn.

Regardless, there is a fair arguement the ~$300 million spent on stadium upgrades 'could be better' spent on Tasmanian struggling health care system and on affordable/social housing.

Now im not from Tasmaina and have little understanding of the social issues the people there are facing - I support the 19th franchiees and although im a big critic of Albanese i think this is the right (be it expensive) call.

I am fully aware i am biased as a sports and AFL fan so got a poll running on if you support the 19th AFL club and the benefits it brings to Tasmania or do you think during a harsh econminc climate is the right thing to be doing or should the federal government be using the money on health/housing or other support services?

Poll Options

  • 80
    I support an AFL team in TAS
  • 47
    Money could be better spent on other things ie Healthcare
  • 2
    Undecided
Sports & Outdoors Australian Football

Comments

  • brendanm on 04/05/2023 - 12:26
    +12

    Waste of money. The AFL has money, they can build the stadium. Will probably get done for a much better price than the government would get anyway, wouldn't have to give 50% to mates/family.

    • boomramada on 04/05/2023 - 16:48
      +2

      Better than spending on rat test. https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/n…

      • brendanm on 04/05/2023 - 17:10
        +4

        Yes, I've commented on the disgusting cost of those things before, as well as the cost of the pcr tests. Could have built many hospitals, and paid for a lot of staff with that money.

    • xtremehell on 04/05/2023 - 19:31
      +3

      The AFL? Lmao. They'd probably give 80% of the jobs to mates/family. They were still struggling to get James Hird out of the system up until 3 months ago.

      • boomramada on 06/05/2023 - 12:07

        I think mixed up with Tennis Australia.

  • boomramada on 04/05/2023 - 12:35
    +1

    Need 20, one for Canberra as well, not like GWS bullshit.

    • jrvb42 on 05/05/2023 - 14:19

      Hang on, isn't Canberra now part of the greater western Sydney area? 😀

  • Lunarboogie on 04/05/2023 - 12:38
    -3

    I can't but chuckle a little when people throw their arms up at the Feds chipping in $300m for a sports team but say nothing about the cost blow outs for fat cats with super balances above 3m, the billions spent supporting negative gearing and the franking credits to retirees. Old people use services too. They should pay their share.

    • GG57 on 04/05/2023 - 12:52
      +1

      …the Feds chipping in $300m for a sports team…

      The funds from the Federal government are not for a sport team; it is to build a stadium within a development of an area near the Hobart CBD. Unfortunately, the AFL considered the stadium as mandatory for granting of the license for the Tasmanian AFL-level team.

    • Almost Banned on 04/05/2023 - 14:12
      +2

      What 'cost blow outs for fat cats with super balances above 3m'???
      What cost exactly did this 'blow out'?

  • ausdday on 04/05/2023 - 12:44
    +3

    Only if they allow homeless Tassies to stay in there.

    Btw, $240 million is just Federal Government share. The whole project costs whopping $700+ millions.

    • pharkurnell on 04/05/2023 - 14:54
      +4

      It'll be a billion by the time its finished

  • freefall101 on 04/05/2023 - 12:47
    +11

    The argument of "it could be better spent on x" is always a bit misleading, it's not like they would have actually pumped another $300m into healthcare if they didn't build the stadium. The stadium will be backed by a model of future tax revenue and economic benefit, spending extra on healthcare infrastructure often costs more in medicare on top of that (build a better hospital, more people use it which costs even more money).

    Still a drop in the bucket compared to the Gabba rebuild as well.

    • ausdday on 04/05/2023 - 12:52
      +3

      Agree with that. Which makes me think, federal government should make this a loan to Tassie AFL rather than a handout. AFL teams earns big bucks from their fans.

  • GG57 on 04/05/2023 - 12:57
    +3

    Should Tasmania have an AFL-level team?
    - Yes, and probably should have a decade or so ago. It may actually be too late now, as the sport of Australian Rules football is in the decline in Tasmania

    Should the AFL have mandated for a new stadium?
    - No; Tasmania has two existing arenas that are used for AFL-level games regularly.

    Should the governments (state and federal) allocated this money?
    - Depends; if it is at the expense of other needy expenditure, then obviously no. If government funding will be allocated for public housing, health facilities, etc., probably still no. The AFL is a huge conglomerate and could have funding this (if they deemed it necessary).

  • orangetrain on 04/05/2023 - 13:14

    Government could build 600 houses at 500k each, or apartments, sell them for $600m. Bam, can afford 2 stadiums.

    But no, Labor and LNP want a stadium based on hypthetical returns. Economic mismanagers deserve the bottom of my ballot.

    • Domingo on 04/05/2023 - 13:30
      +3

      Government could build 600 houses at 500k each, or apartments, sell them for $600m. Bam, can afford 2 stadiums.

      and

      Economic mismanagers deserve the bottom of my ballot.

      Lucky you aren't on the ballot or you'd have to put yourself at the bottom.

      • deme on 04/05/2023 - 18:14
        +1

        Why?

        600 houses, 500k each = 300 million (cost of 1 stadium)
        Sell them for 600 million (so 1 million each)

        = 600 million (or 2 times the cost of 1 stadium)

        So rather than spending 300,000,000 on 1 stadium the idea is to spend it on 600 houses and turn it into 600 million.

        • 2023 on 06/05/2023 - 07:13

          $300 million is just their input into the cost of the stadium, not the total cost.

          • deme on 06/05/2023 - 09:27

            @2023: Wow that's crazy.

    • AngoraFish on 04/05/2023 - 20:53
      +1

      Government could buy 60,000 Jim's Mowing franchises, pay refugees minimum wage to mow people's grass for a few years, and invest the profits!

  • terlalu on 04/05/2023 - 13:40
    +1

    I'm going to leave this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XUn-EsThcE

  • SnowDragon on 04/05/2023 - 13:42
    +11

    I support Tassie finally getting a team but not the conditions it came with.

    Hobart does not need a new stadium

    • Current infrastructure won't be able to handle it - the government has had many opportunities to get light rail off the ground but refuse to.
    • Bellerive Oval is still fit for purpose. The only difference is that it's not in the CBD (but is a 5 minute drive away), has 5000 less capacity and no roof.
    • It's set to cost the Tasmanian Government $300m over 20 years.
    • There's a major housing crisis here, with more and more long term rentals converting to short stay, Hobart is the most unaffordable capital to live in. With rates going up, it's going to be worse.
    • AFL games are often split between the north and south of the state - the new stadium will likely only be played at for half of the allocated games.

    May as well scrap the plans now that we've officially got a team and spend it on light rail, more housing and fixing health care.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 04/05/2023 - 14:53

      this is probably a fair and level reponse

      i think the AFL makes LOADs of money abd pays a lot of excustives and 'fat' cats way too much to do too little they could of raises a lot of this money privately using tax payer money is a bit of a slap in the face in that regard

      • trilby on 04/05/2023 - 15:32

        It is true they make loads of money, but that money goes back into AFL all it does, being and non for profit oranisation, unlike NRL which the money goes to private owners

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 04/05/2023 - 15:40
          +2

          Althought i also agree with you a non-for-profit organisation shouldnt have 9 senior excustives on a dollective 12m in salary between them….

          so in some ways i agree yes it 'does go back into the game' a lot of the money ends up in some blokes pocket

          • trilby on 04/05/2023 - 18:06

            @Trying2SaveABuck: Some companies have 1 executive on 12m alone!
            It depends on whether said executives bring in more money than they get themselves - if they grow the game, bring in extra money and manage to present a good image, then it's probally a good investment - getting the tv deal which was almost double the NRL's makes that investment worth it.

            • GG57 on 05/05/2023 - 09:16

              @trilby:

              … if they grow the game, bring in extra money and manage to present a good image…

              The game of Australian Rules football is in decline in Tasmania; not sure about other locations.
              I have no doubt they bring in extra money, but where does it go?
              Present a good image - for the AFL or for the game of Australian Rules football? The AFL doesn't have a good history of dealing with any number of issues in its 'workplace' or with its employees.

  • Almost Banned on 04/05/2023 - 14:17
    +2

    What exactly makes a place 'deserve' an AFL team?
    Because the real issue is whether the place can financially support one. The club will need a substantial supporter base, and a substantial sponsor base.
    So, the real question is whether a team in Tas can generate membership of at least 50,000 - that's about 1 in 10 of the population of the state - plus it needs a bunch of major sponsors to make up the balance.
    Can it do that?

    • GG57 on 04/05/2023 - 15:05
      -1

      What exactly makes a place 'deserve' an AFL team?

      Because that is how the AFL wants to pitch it, as an honour or something special. It is all about the corporatisation of a sport.

      …generate membership of at least 50,000…

      In 2022, eight AFL teams had a membership below 60k.

      Although the sport of Australian Rules football is in decline within Tasmania, the Tasmania Devils field teams in the NAB Leagues for Boy and Girls (17y.o. - 19y.o.), and are successful at that level.

      • Almost Banned on 04/05/2023 - 16:03
        +2

        In 2022, eight AFL teams had a membership below 60k.

        Yes, and many of those teams are financial basket-cases.

        I actually like the idea of a team in Tas, but it doesn't make sense if it just becomes another financial burden.
        It makes much more sense to relocate an existing team. They take their membership with them, add the Taswegians, and maybe take some of their current sponsors to lessen the financial impact, while also not diluting the AFL talent pool, or having the competition have an uneven number of teams for scheduling.

        • GG57 on 04/05/2023 - 16:40

          One of those teams was Sydney; they played (not very well) in the Grand Final.
          Who is it a financial burden on?
          All the people in Tasmania that follow AFL already have a team they support. Relocating an existing team wouldn't change who they support, but introducing a new (local) team does.
          I'm thinking that the timeline of 2028 is to allow the AFL to introduce a further team, probably NT, before then to even up the numbers.
          Longer term, I think the AFL will introduce two divisions of competition with a promotion / relegation system.

          • Almost Banned on 04/05/2023 - 18:24

            @GG57: Its a financial burden on the league - and by extension on the successful clubs - and by extension their members.
            Plenty of people in Perth and Adelaide had VFL teams they supported before the local team entered the competition.
            There is no way a 20th team will be ready to enter the competition at the same time, especially if it comes from NT.

            • GG57 on 05/05/2023 - 14:55

              @Almost Banned: I'd argue the financial burden doesn't flow to the members. If people think that membership fees are too high for what they get from it, they won't buy one.

              The AFL and the clubs are big businesses. Given that the AFL doesn't pay tax, but is run as a big business, I don't think it should receive any government funding (in the same way that Harvey Norman shouldn't).

              The teams created in WA and SA were new teams, not relocations of VFL teams. The initial Qld and NSW teams were relocations, but they weren't big Australian Rules football states anyway.

  • pharkurnell on 04/05/2023 - 14:53
    +1

    There arent enough top players to keep the competition competitive now..

    add another team of 50+ and the rich will get richer and top teams will stay there.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 04/05/2023 - 14:54

      I do 'agree' with you here i reckon the competition has gone backwards since the introduction of GWS/GCU it will only get worse with a TAS side but it also might give more talent an opporunity

    • GG57 on 04/05/2023 - 15:13

      It is only 7 rounds down for 2023, but it seems to be reasonably competitive just now:
      W - L - Teams
      6 - 1 - 1
      5 - 2 - 6 (one also has a draw)
      4 - 3 - 3

      This would suggest a reasonable spread of talent across the teams.

      • pharkurnell on 04/05/2023 - 15:20

        few scores from last 2 rounds says otherwise

        118-69
        109-69
        130-37

        115-67
        139-49
        152-44
        72-48

        • GG57 on 04/05/2023 - 15:31

          Of course, as I said it is only round 7. There were a few (very) close games as well.

  • Big Sexy Unit on 04/05/2023 - 16:01

    AFL been losing money for years now.
    2 New teams, AFLW, Covid and now a newer team that will generate a loss just to keep a few people happy

    • GG57 on 04/05/2023 - 16:44

      Does it matter?
      Maybe some of those AFL executives could take a pay cut.

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 04/05/2023 - 16:54

        Maybe some of those AFL executives could take a pay cut.

        the AFL has 9 'senior excutives' all earn over 1 million dollars - i agree they could take a pay cut id argue why do they need more then maybe 3-4 senior managers (including CEO) in general

      • Big Sexy Unit on 04/05/2023 - 17:24

        does a business losing money matter?

        • GG57 on 05/05/2023 - 09:18

          You are correct; AFL is a business.
          What would happen if the business folded?

    • lostgoat on 06/05/2023 - 09:31
      +1

      Its a bit small mined only due to Covid . Check out this year bumper profits are well and truly in play .
      I give the AFL a medal to keep the season alive during that period .
      Too many negative ~^s around nowadays to see the effort that was envolved .

  • tabitha731 on 05/05/2023 - 10:14
    -1

    fcootball is a waste of money & only attracts those who failed the basics in school… would rather watch grass grow.. nmore enlightening & not a menace to society

    • GG57 on 05/05/2023 - 10:22
      +1

      So many thing to unpack there.
      - Football is a sport; the AFL is a business. Players of football (Australian Rules) at the elite level play in the "AFL".
      - Some players are more intelligent / more educated than others. It doesn't mean that those who fail the basics at school are failures in life.

    • 2023 on 06/05/2023 - 10:15
      +1

      Spoken by a truely small or close minded individual.

  • GreyMelb on 05/05/2023 - 12:27

    It would have been great if they had also announced the winding up of either GWS or the Gold Coast (preferably both) at the same time. Oh yeah, and Freo too.

  • frostydog on 13/05/2023 - 12:07

    It's a bit like the mule with a spinning top…

    https://youtu.be/ZDOI0cq6GZM

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