Attracting one of the big four Melbourne AFL clubs to take on Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium every year would lure more Victorian visitors to the North, Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten says. Launceston City Council says it wants to see at least one "tier-one" side play a home and away game against Hawthorn a year, as well as a preseason fixture of the same standard. The Hawks say they are behind the push, and want to see a big club play in Launceston next year. Hawthorn's past 10 home and away games in Launceston have attracted an average crowd of 13,500, with the most recent game between Hawthorn and Gold Coast drawing just 11,320. But more than 15,400 fans turned up when the Hawks took on Collingwood in a preseason game in February. Alderman van Zetten said he wanted to see teams such as the Magpies, Richmond, Carlton and Essendon playing in Launceston. "We're certainly reiterating to the state government and the AFL the importance of securing at least one top-tier side as part of the four games," he said. "We want to see sides playing that will draw large crowds both from around Tasmania and interstate, because that provides the best economic yield for the region. "We do need to refresh the AFL model in Launceston, and securing at least one top-tier side is important to achieve that outcome." Hawthorn chief executive officer Stuart Fox told The Examiner the club was also hoping to address the fixturing issue. "We've had several discussions with the AFL about bringing some variety to the fixture on an annual basis," he said. "We're looking for some Melbourne-based teams to play in Launceston, as Collingwood did during the preseason. We'd hope to replicate that next year within the home and away season."
Attracting one of the big four Melbourne AFL clubs to take on Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium every year would lure more Victorian visitors to the North, Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten says.
Launceston City Council says it wants to see at least one "tier-one" side play a home and away game against Hawthorn a year, as well as a preseason fixture of the same standard.
The Hawks say they are behind the push, and want to see a big club play in Launceston next year.
Hawthorn's past 10 home and away games in Launceston have attracted an average crowd of 13,500, with the most recent game between Hawthorn and Gold Coast drawing just 11,320.
But more than 15,400 fans turned up when the Hawks took on Collingwood in a preseason game in February.
Alderman van Zetten said he wanted to see teams such as the Magpies, Richmond, Carlton and Essendon playing in Launceston.
"We're certainly reiterating to the state government and the AFL the importance of securing at least one top-tier side as part of the four games," he said.
"We want to see sides playing that will draw large crowds both from around Tasmania and interstate, because that provides the best economic yield for the region.
"We do need to refresh the AFL model in Launceston, and securing at least one top-tier side is important to achieve that outcome."
Hawthorn chief executive officer Stuart Fox told The Examiner the club was also hoping to address the fixturing issue.
"We've had several discussions with the AFL about bringing some variety to the fixture on an annual basis," he said.
"We're looking for some Melbourne-based teams to play in Launceston, as Collingwood did during the preseason. We'd hope to replicate that next year within the home and away season."
