As has been discussed infinitum, they can’t renovate Bellerive. It’s unsuitable for a permanently located team and everything that comes with that.Rant incoming:
First things first, I 100% support a team in Tassie. But I do not support the building of a brand spanking new stadium 100% funded by the taxpayer.
I just wanna have a bit of whinge about the narrative on this issue earlier in the week.
The state opposition have copped it from all angles because they might not necessarily support the concept of the TAS govt paying for half of the new stadium in Hobart.
IMO, the criticism is being directed towards the wrong people… the AFL have demanded Tassie build a stadium and basically threatened to withhold the new licence unless the stadium is built.
A few weeks ago, the AFL signed a new $4.5 billion TV deal, yet expect $750 million of taxpayers money spent on a shiny new stadium.
This is bloody outrageous and insanely arrogant. We should be angry at the AFL, but instead, we are criticising politicians for not coming to the party. The AFL (and their sycophantic media) are playing it smart deflecting the narrative to politicians, but bloody hell, am I the only person that sees through this???
I have long criticised taxpayer funded upgrades to AFL Infrastructure. The $225 upgrade to Marvel – a privately owned stadium – is appalling.
Tasmania is a small state and spending at least $375 million on a stadium is a big hit to their bottom line. If the AFL want a stadium in Hobart, let them pay for it (or pay a large chunk of it).
IMO, they should dump the new stadium concept and renovate Bellerive Oval. I’m sure they can build a grandstand on the hill and increase the capacity to over 25,000 at 30-40% of the cost.
You either do this properly or you don’t do it at all.