Fireworks, a sell-out crowd, a reality TV star and even a successful marriage proposal were all part of the celebrations to commemorate 15 years of AFL football in Launceston.
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Sixty-one games since Hawthorn defeated Adelaide in front of 17,460 fans at York Park in 2001, the same hosts racked up a 19th straight win at what is now called Aurora Stadium.
The crowd of 18,112 that watched the 10.14 (74) to 7.13 (55) defeat of Carlton is the largest since 19,217 witnessed the Hawks’ last defeat at the ground, to Sydney in 2012.
Despite a phenomenal run of 26 wins in the last 27 matches, the reigning premiers were again made to work hard before completing a fourth straight undefeated season at their home from home.
Facing his former employers on the ground he once graced for North Launceston, Pipers River product Brendon Bolton found little consolation from a much-anticipated homecoming as his side racked up almost twice as many behinds as goals.
Tasmania’s dormant legion of Carlton fans turned out in force to swell the crowd, leading to a busy morning for the city’s traders and heavy traffic before and after the game.
With the Hawks’ latest Tasmanian deal due to expire in five years, club president Richard Garvey said: “We want to be here long beyond 2021. Quite frankly, we want to be here for ever.”
X-Factor winner Reece Mastin said it was an “amazing but cold” experience to entertain the large crowd.