One of Tasmania's finest football exports believes the coronavirus pandemic could fast-track the state's AFL push.
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Richmond superstar Jack Riewoldt, who was among the plethora of AFL stars to return to full-contact training on Monday, said that uncertainty over the league's current model could work in the state's favour.
"Initially, I probably thought it would have pushed Tassie footy's push for an AFL side back maybe a few years, but maybe it accelerates it to a point where we need to get more games of footy," he said.
"You've only got to look at the financial modeling around Melbourne here with nine teams and there's been a fair bit of commentary over whether it's stable and able to continue this way.
"But I think in the meantime, we just want to get as much footy down there as possible, continue to have kids drafted - I think that's a really big one for young Tasmanian kids to keep pushing to play in the AFL - and then hopefully one day we can have our own side and obviously unite as a state and really get behind the map."
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A product of Southern side Clarence, who will be unable to use their home ground for the 2020 TSL season if the league gets underway, Riewoldt is still hopeful that the country's national league will be able to venture across Bass Strait.
"Like the rest of Australia, there's quarantine rules and whatnot, so that probably will happen later in the year if it does happen."
"I really hope it does give Tasmanians a chance to watch some footy and possibly go to the footy in the Apple Isle there. I think what Hawthorn and North Melbourne football clubs have provided for the people down there is fantastic.
"It's given them a real pathway to make it into the AFL, you've only got to look at Tarryn Thomas who has come through the North Melbourne football academy via Tasmania, which has been fantastic for him.
"Fingers crossed we can get to the footy and hopefully the Tiges can get down there and play again one day on Bellerive Oval."
Named in the top eight Tasmanians to play in the AFL era before being defeated by cousin Nick, Riewoldt admitted he wasn't aware of the accolade but was honoured by it.
"Obviously being nominated for that is awesome. I'm a passionate Tasmanian, passionate about the footy down there and like the rest of Australia, grassroot footy is struggling with no footy going on so I'm rapt [to be recognised.]"
Jokingly commenting that former teammate Matthew Richardson should have accounted for Nick in the poll's final, the 263-game star was pleased to return to match simulation training - ramping up his work in preparation for Richmond's round two contest against Collingwood on June 11.
"We feel pretty privileged to be in a position where we can train as a group, we know there's a lot of people out there that would love to do what we're doing, so we are thankful for the governments for giving us a social licence to get back out here and connect as a team.
"The tackling and the physical aspect comes as a part of the contact work but just to see some faces that we didn't see the first week back due to the smaller groups was great.
"Obviously the contact aspect of footy is a major part so it's just getting used to the bumps and bruises again and being able to put on what is a strength of our game - that pressure type around the ball.
"I think the guys are excited to be back and have a run around."
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