AFL Tasmania only expects to find out next month whether its application to rejoin the Victorian Football League in 2021 has been accepted. It has been more than a decade in waiting for the state since the Tasmania Devils entity of the same name last played in the VFL that ended with an acrimonious alliance with North Melbourne for its last three seasons. Approval from AFL Victoria will be based on meeting four pillars of requirements: governance and administration, financial sustainability, onfield competitiveness, and community connection. AFL Tasmania boss Trisha Squires said mistakes of the past have been put behind. "Both the VFL competition and the football landscape in Tasmania has changed significantly since 2008 and, naturally, the Devils will be different to the previous incarnation," Squires said. "We are still preparing an application that details a structure for the club that we believe will be successful in 2021 and onwards. It is a new era for the Tassie Devils and it is important to note that the Devils entity in 2021 is more than a VFL team." The Devils will be the last of the Tasmanian talent pathway groups that includes the NAB League under-18 sides underpinning the VFL team. AFL Tasmania has plans to leave no stone unturned to lift its flagging public profile. A Tasmanian Taskforce that is chaired by AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has been enlisted to gain entry into the AFL over the next decade. Ex-Carlton coach Brendon Bolton is part of the invited group on the taskforce. Squires would not rule out targeting the George Town and former North Launceston premiership rover to coach the side in 18 months should it gain a VFL licence. "We'll certainly look at the best available talent on and off the field to help make the Devils a success," she said. AFL Tasmania has yet to lock in home grounds before getting the final nod, but Squires said this would have a true Tasmanian presence. That could include a return of high-end games back to Devonport and Burnie since the withdrawal of the TSL sides from the two cities. "It's certainly our ambition for the Tasmania Devils to have a statewide presence," she said that could include VFL games on separate days to TSL and NTFA games.
Approval from AFL Victoria will be based on meeting four pillars of requirements: governance and administration, financial sustainability, onfield competitiveness, and community connection.
"Both the VFL competition and the football landscape in Tasmania has changed significantly since 2008 and, naturally, the Devils will be different to the previous incarnation," Squires said.
"We are still preparing an application that details a structure for the club that we believe will be successful in 2021 and onwards. It is a new era for the Tassie Devils and it is important to note that the Devils entity in 2021 is more than a VFL team."
The Devils will be the last of the Tasmanian talent pathway groups that includes the NAB League under-18 sides underpinning the VFL team.
AFL Tasmania has plans to leave no stone unturned to lift its flagging public profile.
"It's certainly our ambition for the Tasmania Devils to have a statewide presence," she said that could include VFL games on separate days to TSL and NTFA games.
