At What Price? Tasmania’s AFL Dream and the Political Courage required to reach it
Tasmania wants an AFL team. On that, there’s little dispute. A home team would be a point of pride, honouring legends like Baldock, Hudson, Richardson and Riewoldt, and giving new generations a fortress to defend. But the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s recommendation not to proceed with Macquarie Point is a sober reminder that wanting a team and building a billion-dollar stadium are not the same thing.
There is a harder truth here – Tasmania is being asked to shoulder a burden no other AFL state has borne. No other club has been forced to build a billion-dollar stadium as a condition of entry.