North Launceston president Thane Brady has called on the AFL to repay Tasmania's investment in the national competition.
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The outspoken club figurehead believes that, with the league's support, Tasmania could compete with "non-traditional footy states" Queensland and NSW and replicate the success stories of Western and South Australia.
"We are far better placed to create an industry compared to where Queensland and NSW were when they commenced the journey back in the '80s," Brady said.
"In less than 40 years, these states now have four AFL clubs, vibrant state competitions and are regarded as managing the best player development academies in Australia."
And Brady believes the AFL owes Tasmania.
He said the state deserves payback for the players, coaches, memberships, customers and viewers it provides the competition.
"For decades we have sacrificed our share of AFL royalties and dividends flowing into our state as the AFL prioritised the growth of the game in non-traditional footy states.
"Enough is enough - it's payback time. We have filled out our withdrawal form and now it's up to the bank of AFL to give back some of our investment."
The Northern Bombers are among the stakeholders to have made submissions to AFL Tasmania's Footy Futures Project and called for foundations for the state to reach a level where it can grow its own players to fill a Tasmanian AFL team.
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Brady said with COVID-19 shutting down many mainland competitions, interest in this year's State League grand final between his Bombers and cross-city rivals Launceston was unprecedented.
"We know they were impressed (and surprised) by the standard of the game and as a result recruiters have reached out seeking more information about players previously not on their radar.
"We can be as good or better than Queensland or NSW.
"It's not reinventing the wheel - other states such as SA and WA have been doing it for decades.
OPINION - by THANE BRADY, North Launceston FC president
Tasmania is perfectly placed to create an AFL industry.
As a founding state, our footy is entrenched in the hearts and minds of Tasmanians.
We are far better placed to create an industry compared to where Queensland and NSW were when they commenced the journey back in the '80s.
In less than 40 years, these states now have four AFL clubs, vibrant state competitions and are regarded as managing the best player development academies in Australia.
The industry has created hundreds of direct and indirect employment and educational opportunities.
What's the secret to their success of creating these significant footy industries?
Investment and commitment from the AFL working in conjunction with state and federal government.
Tasmania isn't looking for handouts - on the contrary, our contribution to the game on and off field can not be questioned.
We have committed to our share of the heavy lifting in support of transitioning the VFL into the powerhouse AFL brand. We produce players and coaches, buy memberships, watch the game live and through broadcast, purchase merchandise, listen to the radio, tune into people talking about footy, engage in social media and buy the papers to read about our game.
All Tasmanians are counted in the AFL broadcast numbers when they negotiate the massive contracts that is the single biggest revenue earner for the AFL.
For decades we have sacrificed our share of AFL royalties and dividends flowing into our state as the AFL prioritised the growth of the game in non-traditional footy states.
Enough is enough - it's payback time.
It's payback time ...
We have filled out our withdrawal form and now it's up to the bank of AFL to give back some of our investment.
Our submission to the Footy Futures Project is focused on the investment foundations Tasmania is desperate for, to not only save the status of our game but also give it the turbo charge it needs to reach a level where we can grow our own players to represent a Tassie AFL team.
We can make an industry quickly with the right people in key roles and the investment to match.
A huge shot in the arm and confidence booster came through the recent TSL grand final game.
COVID shutting down competitions around Australia created clean air for this year's TSL grand final game to be watched by many important AFL industry people.
We know they were impressed (and surprised) by the standard of the game and as a result recruiters have reached out seeking more information about players previously not on their radar.
We can be as good or better than Queensland or NSW. We can have a Tassie AFL team filled with home grown players that not only can make us proud but also lead the 360-degree model of inspiring others to be their best and re-investing back into our footy foundations.
It's not reinventing the wheel - other states such as SA and WA have been doing it for decades.
Team Tasmania Time!
The pressure is squarely on AFL Tasmania to deliver the game changer.
Damian Gill and his team have pushed all the chips into the middle of the table betting on the Footy Futures Review to deliver!
AFL Tas has shut up shop this year to date. All decisions placed on hold. They walked away from the plan to implement a salary cap system for all Tassie footy rather than just the TSL having to manage their affairs within a restrictive cap.
The TSL licence extension beyond 2023 is another pressing matter put back on the shelf at AFL headquarters while waiting for the magic paper to be delivered from COVID central Melbourne.
It's understandable many question the strength of leadership of AFL Tas with the minutes now ticking down to the revival to discover what they are really made up of.
Interestingly, the game changer that will trump any AFL report was Premier Gutwein's statement of unequivocal support behind the continuation of the TSL beyond its current licence.
Instantly recognisable as our state's leader, many are unaware the man himself left Tasmania to play state league footy in WA. He has first-hand knowledge of an athlete's determination to compete against the best to squeeze every ounce of talent out of oneself.
What response or comment did AFL Tasmania make about the Premier's direction statement? Publicly nothing, adding more fuel to the fire Gill has gone into lockdown waiting for the next direction to arrive from the big house across the water.
Effectively this is AFL Tasmania's last chance to prove the organisation is worthy of managing our state's footy programs now and into the future. If they fail then Tasmania should take back control and go it alone!