Today is the day Tasmania's bid for a stand-alone AFL team gets serious.
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The state's high-powered taskforce, led by founding Virgin Australia chief executive Brett Godfrey, will meet with AFL powerbrokers for the first time to discuss short and long term strategies to make the push a reality.
Many believe it's pie in the sky. Many believe it's a must. Many believe Tasmania's North-South divide is far too great for it to be successful.
Any long-term outcome for AFL in Tasmania is never going to please everyone, but the final solution must be sustainable and equitable for all Tasmanian football fans.
It can't be run solely out of Hobart - that killed the Devils last time and history is not worth repeating.
Of course matches should be held in Hobart, but historical figures show that AFL in Launceston attracts bigger crowds despite Bellerive Oval being handed more favourable fixtures since North Melbourne entered the fold.
Plus, Launceston has a proven track record - think BBL crowds, the 2003 Rugby World Cup, A-League and so on.
The reason, it is a central location that opens up such events to the whole state - particularly for North-West residents - by cutting down travel time and additional expenses.
And with millions of dollars being poured in the Midland Highway, it's a two hour-drive for Southerners to travel.
It's not about parochialism - it's about the location. Look at the Southern Huskies shared model.
Build the model properly and fans, business and the like will support it 100 per cent.
There is plenty of sporting and business acumen on the taskforce with proven track records. But the AFL must be full behind a Tasmanian team, just like it was with cash and marketing for GWS and Gold Coast.
The state government has invested $150,000 to get the ball rolling, now is the time for everyone to come together it make it happen.
The Devils first in 2021, then the big boys whenever viable.