Eddie McGuire says James Sicily was simply delivering a brutal fact when he took a stunning shot at Tasmania.
The Hawthorn captain was on Wednesday compelled to apologise for saying he “couldn’t imagine” residing in Tasmania.
The 28-year-old had been requested on radio about how gamers would really feel about shifting to Hobart with the league reportedly days away from saying Tasmania can have its personal staff to enter the AFL because the competitors’s nineteenth franchise.
It’s anticipated the federal authorities will on Saturday verify funding for a brand new Hobart stadium, which is considered because the final hurdle earlier than Tasmania is granted an AFL license.
On Wednesday, Sicily was requested on radio in regards to the state’s potential to lure gamers to reside and play footy there.
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“I think so, particularly as a young guy, because there’s not much happening down there, it could be difficult,” Sicily instructed RSN.
“I couldn’t imagine myself living there. It would be hard.”
Foxsports.com.au reviews the feedback noticed the Hawks skipper are available in for criticism, given his membership earns hundreds of thousands annually from the state through a sponsorship deal, and has performed a number of video games every season in Launceston for a few years.
The loudest got here from cricketer and former Australian T20 captain Matthew Wade.
He took to Instagram posting: “Tassie people have been fighting years for the chance to get an AFL team. Comments like this do not help us working towards our chance at showing just how good our little state is and will be with our own team.
“@jsicily6 Whenever you want the door is open to come down and I can show you around our boring island if you like!”
Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine additionally reacted negatively, responding to a Fox Footy tweet about Sicily’s feedback with a facepalm emoji.
However, the scenario took a activate Wednesday night time with McGuire saying Sicily’s feedback expose a really actual drawback the Tasmanian staff will face.
He mentioned the Gold Coast Suns already battle to retain gamers to maintain them in Queensland when many younger payers wish to return to reside in Victoria. He advised Tasmania would discover it much more troublesome.
McGuire mentioned Sicily is “just telling the truth for a change”.
“Tim Lane and Jack Riewoldt and all these guys who have a great love for Tasmania can sell it as much as they like, but they all live in Melbourne,” McGuire mentioned.
“I don’t know if there’s any kids that are awake hoping that they’re going to be playing in Tasmania on a refurbished Launceston Oval. That’s not having a go at Tasmanian football.”
McGuire mentioned he has at all times supported Tasmania getting its personal staff, however says there are critical issues in regards to the framework in place for the state to construct pathways to develop native expertise into AFL-level gamers.
On Wednesday night time Sicily shared an apology on social media and defined additional what he meant.
“I want to apologise to anyone I have offended or upset about my comments on Tasmania today,” he wrote.
“The comments I made on RSN were flippant, and do not reflect my views of Tasmania.
“What I said related to my personal situation, that throughout my career, my attachment to Melbourne would have made it hard to live in Tassie full time.
“That’s not to say there are not many AFL footballers who would enjoy living there.
“I love coming down to Tassie to stay and play, I visit Tassie yearly outside of football to enjoy its golf courses and food. I’m proud of our long term relationship with the state and I continue to support Tasmania getting its own team. (thumbs up emoji)”
Source: www.news.com.au
