THE announcement by Hawthorn of a record number of members in Tasmania is testament to the club’s popularity.
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For the past 10 years, the Hawks have worked hard to make Aurora Stadium their home-away-from-home, and Tasmanian AFL fans have certainly embraced the reigning premiers.
The Hawks, who take on Fremantle today at Aurora Stadium, will celebrate their 50th AFL match in Launceston – a wonderful achievement in what has certainly been a beneficial partnership for both the club and the region.
That success hasn’t just happened by chance. The partnership works so well because of all the hard work a number of organisations have put in.
And the fall-out is we have record numbers of people travelling to Launceston via the airport. Our hotels are sold out almost every weekend there’s an AFL match in town. Plus it’s almost impossible to get a seat at a restaurant.
There’s an exciting buzz around the city when Hawthorn is in town. You can see people walking the streets on a Saturday morning in their various Australian rules regalia, many with children in tow in equally bright and vibrant supporter apparel.
With five years after this year remaining on the Hawthorn deal, we as a region must remain vigilant. Fans of AFL football must continue to support the games by turning up in their thousands. We must find new and exciting ways to promote the games and the region.
It’s important that we send a message to the AFL hierarchy that we love our football in Launceston. So what needs to happen in return is they need to treat us with a little respect.
They’re happy for North Melbourne to play in Hobart. The club makes a handy profit every game at Blundstone, but loses a packet at Etihad unless the place is packed.
But it’s certainly no secret the AFL doesn’t want Hawthorn playing AFL games in Launceston. Perhaps that’s why the Hawks keep getting games rostered against the Gold Coast and Fremantle – both poor crowd-pulling clubs in Tasmania. (Today’s match will be Fremantle’s ninth against Hawthorn since 2003).
So we say, Northern Tasmania – get behind Hawthorn and our region. Get along to the match today and send a message that we love our AFL at Aurora and we will support it regardless of who the opposition is.
