AFL nice Leigh Matthews expects the introduction of a nineteenth crew in Tasmania will imply the competitors expands once more to twenty.
Matthews, one of many recreation’s most revered commentators, is assured the island’s robust AFL custom will imply the brand new crew can climate their inevitable early rising pains.
With federal funding for the brand new Hobart stadium confirmed on Sunday, the AFL will transfer rapidly over the following few days to substantiate a nineteenth licence within the state.
The league expanded from 14 to fifteen groups in 1991 when Adelaide joined, and stayed that manner till Fremantle joined in 1995.
Gold Coast’s formation meant the AFL went from 16 to 17 in 2011, earlier than GWS joined the next season.
The AFL isn’t any fan of an odd-numbered league, particularly given the weekly implications for its profitable broadcasting settlement.
“We’re not going to have a bye for the rest of the competition’s existence,” a 3AW Tweet quoted Matthews as saying.
“We will be looking for a 20th team, won’t we?”
GWS and Gold Coast are the most recent growth groups and whereas the Giants made the 2019 grand remaining, the Suns are but to make the highest eight.
Matthews identified not like these two groups, Tasmania’s crew could have a robust supporter base from the beginning.
“The problem might be if Tasmania are like the Suns, and they are a perennial bottom-half team for the first decade … will the 25,000 still go?
“In Tassie they could, as a result of they’re soccer folks. That’s the distinction.”
Fellow commentator Matthew Lloyd also weighed in, defending Hawthorn captain James Sicily for his much-derided opinion he could not imagine moving to Tasmania for his playing career.
The Hawks have Tasmania as a major sponsor and play some home games in Launceston.
“What James Sicily stated is an actual issue for lots of fellows – he is solely saying what he believes.
“He’d stand by that 100 per cent, even though he can’t continue on with it.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
