THE biggest crowd at Aurora Stadium since 2012 should send a strong message to the AFL when it comes to the quality of future fixtures in Launceston, says Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox. Sunday’s clash between the Hawks, who have won the past two premierships, and top-of-the-ladder Fremantle drew 16,792 spectators to the 3.20pm match. Before Sunday, the last time more than 16,000 were in the stands was in round 10, 2012, when 16,143 saw former Hawk Lance Franklin kick 13.4 against North Melbourne. Mr Fox told The Examiner before the round 3 clash with the Western Bulldogs that the only way that people could get more high-quality fixtures involving another Melbourne-based club would be to vote with their feet, which they did on Sunday. ‘‘It is sensational crowd and we should never talk down playing interstate teams here, as we have two of the best teams in the comp here,’’ Mr Fox said on Sunday. ‘‘When this place is full, it is just such an amazing atmosphere. ‘‘We’re continuing to work on the fixture and I’ve held several discussions with the government and local council here, and we’ll put a submission in to the AFL. ‘‘If we could get a top Melbourne team and one of the really top interstate teams, and a great preseason game like we did this year with Collingwood, that would be a great outcome [in 2016].’’ The Hawks and the government are in negotiations to extend the deal between the two parties, which currently sees the club play four home and away and one preseason game in Launceston, beyond the end of 2016. It was a topic that was touched upon by Treasurer Peter Gutwein at the club’s president function, and while he did not go into specifics, he used the term ‘‘goodwill’’ to describe the discussions. ‘‘Anyone who has spent time in Launceston this weekend would well recognise its value,’’ he said. ‘‘During the winter months, football makes a significant and material contribution to this region and to the state broadly. ‘‘It is fair to say that both parties realise that the benefits that have flowed in the past are benefits that have been good for the state, good for Launceston and good for the Hawthorn Football Club, and it has been with goodwill that we are currently working through the negotiations of what will hopefully be another deal between the state of Tasmania and the Hawthorn Football Club. ‘‘What we’ve got to do is ensure we can build on what we’ve got and that the offering here in Northern Tasmania is as good as we can make it.’’ Hawthorn won the match, and sent a warning to the rest of the competition, by 72 points, 17.13 (115) to 6.7 (43). It was their equal-fifth biggest win in Launceston and their 14th in a row in the city.
THE biggest crowd at Aurora Stadium since 2012 should send a strong message to the AFL when it comes to the quality of future fixtures in Launceston, says Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox.
Sunday’s clash between the Hawks, who have won the past two premierships, and top-of-the-ladder Fremantle drew 16,792 spectators to the 3.20pm match.
Before Sunday, the last time more than 16,000 were in the stands was in round 10, 2012, when 16,143 saw former Hawk Lance Franklin kick 13.4 against North Melbourne.
Mr Fox told The Examiner before the round 3 clash with the Western Bulldogs that the only way that people could get more high-quality fixtures involving another Melbourne-based club would be to vote with their feet, which they did on Sunday.
‘‘It is sensational crowd and we should never talk down playing interstate teams here, as we have two of the best teams in the comp here,’’ Mr Fox said on Sunday.
‘‘When this place is full, it is just such an amazing atmosphere.
‘‘We’re continuing to work on the fixture and I’ve held several discussions with the government and local council here, and we’ll put a submission in to the AFL.
‘‘If we could get a top Melbourne team and one of the really top interstate teams, and a great preseason game like we did this year with Collingwood, that would be a great outcome [in 2016].’’
The Hawks and the government are in negotiations to extend the deal between the two parties, which currently sees the club play four home and away and one preseason game in Launceston, beyond the end of 2016.
It was a topic that was touched upon by Treasurer Peter Gutwein at the club’s president function, and while he did not go into specifics, he used the term ‘‘goodwill’’ to describe the discussions.
‘‘Anyone who has spent time in Launceston this weekend would well recognise its value,’’ he said.
‘‘During the winter months, football makes a significant and material contribution to this region and to the state broadly.
‘‘It is fair to say that both parties realise that the benefits that have flowed in the past are benefits that have been good for the state, good for Launceston and good for the Hawthorn Football Club, and it has been with goodwill that we are currently working through the negotiations of what will hopefully be another deal between the state of Tasmania and the Hawthorn Football Club.
‘‘What we’ve got to do is ensure we can build on what we’ve got and that the offering here in Northern Tasmania is as good as we can make it.’’
Hawthorn won the match, and sent a warning to the rest of the competition, by 72 points, 17.13 (115) to 6.7 (43).
It was their equal-fifth biggest win in Launceston and their 14th in a row in the city.
Olivia Cumming, 6, of Hobart, makes her loyalty clear at Aurora Stadium. Picture: SCOTT GELSTON
