It has never been more important that the AFL renegotiates its deal with the Tasmanian government on the Macquarie Point stadium and journalist Sam McClure is sounding the alarm.
McClure has been one of the most dogged voices on this issue and his recent reporting paints a deeply concerning picture. The roofed stadium at Macquarie Point, originally sold to the other 18 clubs as a non-negotiable condition of Tasmania’s entry, is in serious trouble.
What began as a $715 million project has ballooned past $1.1 billion, and McClure believes the tender price coming back in September could push costs as high as $1.7 billion (or as high as $3 billion if you believe Andrew Pridham, Sydney Swans Chair). Construction companies are increasingly reluctant to lock in long-term prices amid rising diesel costs, labour shortages and global market uncertainty. The numbers aren’t the only problem. McClure reports that a construction contract may not be signed until early 2027, just months before the Devils are due to begin their inaugural pre-season.
How did McClure’s story unfold?
McClure’s interest was piqued by comments made by the new AFL Commission chairman, Craig Drummond, in a 10 May interview with journalist, Damian Barrett. Barrett pushed hard for a guarantee that Tasmania would enter the competition in 2028. The response? “Nothing is guaranteed in life.”
On Footy Classified on 12 May (embedded above), McClure described this as the first time anyone from the AFL had publicly backed away from the commitment and noted that the footy world was taking notice.
McClure spent the next few days sounding out key AFL personnel and updated his story in The Age (link below) and on 3AW (embedded right) on 15 May.
Behind closed doors, McClure says six of the 18 club presidents and four chief executives now hold serious concerns about Tasmania’s viability. With a presidents’ meeting coming up in June, this is big news. Under the current licence agreement, those presidents have the power to veto the deal if the stadium conditions are materially altered, including the removal of the roof.
The clock is ticking. The AFL and the Tasmanian government must act.