“The circumstances are right and so is the timing on the back of winning an All-Ireland Grand Final with my club Ballygiblin.

“I will be able to have my family and friends fly out and visit which will make a big difference and I’ll also have the support of my partner Caoimha who will be moving to Adelaide as well so we are very excited about what lies ahead.”

HOBART STADIUM DECISION BY MAY

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff hopes the federal government can give the state an indication before the May budget on whether they will receive the $240 million funding required to build a new multi-purpose, roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart, which would open the way for the AFL to grant a licence for a standalone Tasmanian team to join the competition.

The department of infrastructure is considering Tasmania’s business case for the new stadium - which would be completed by 2029 - after receiving the proposal just before Christmas. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated a desire to renew the Macquarie Point precinct with a new stadium, as long as the return on investment was positive.

“What you don’t want is a stadium that, when things aren’t happening, there is no economic activity in the area,” Albanese said.

“So that means that you need a transport hub, increased ferry investment has already been committed to by the government when we went to the last election, the rail line that runs through the site, of course, provides an opportunity for further investment.”

Albanese also indicated the federal government wanted a commitment from the AFL that they were prepared to invest in the site and potentially shoulder some of the risk for the funding proposal to be approved.

The AFL already plays games at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena and Launceston’s UTAS Stadium with North Melbourne and Hawthorn receiving government funds via sponsorship to play home games in the state.

“They [the AFL] are going to be major beneficiaries of this and I would like to see the AFL commit to maximise the support that it can give,” he said.

“They have been given substantial taxpayer support in the past and have benefited from the investment. A Tasmanian team will produce returns for the AFL over a period of time.”

The AFL have committed $15 million to the stadium while the state government has committed $375 million to the stadium build as well as $205 million over the next 12 years to underpin a standalone Tasmanian team in the AFL.

The funding proposal does not enjoy unilateral support in Tasmania, with the state ALP and Greens opposing the use of taxpayer money to build a stadium. Significant concerns also remain at ground level on the impact a stadium would have on the Truth and Reconciliation Art Park earmarked for the site. 

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