AFL grant Tasmania 19th licence in historic day with entry date revealed

Aidan Cellini

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AFL grant Tasmania 19th licence in historic day with entry date revealed image

The day has come for all Tasmanians, with the AFL awarding the state a 19th licence and a new team into the national competition.

After many failed attempts dating back to 1994, the reality of a team looked farfetched as the competition sought out other locations for the new teams.

Now, all the heartache is almost forgotten as the footy-state is granteded a seat at the expanding table.

On Wednesday, the AFL signed binding commitments with the Tasmanian Government that included delivering a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.

The AFL men's team is expected to enter the competition in 2028 while an AFLW side's entry is still being worked on.

MORE: Tasmanian team timeline from 1994

Outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan made the announcement in Hobart and was joined by Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and acting Prime Minister Richard Marles.

“There are big days and there are really big days. For our national game of Australian rules football and for the state of Tasmania this feels really big. Historic. Big for football, big for Tasmanians, big for all AFL supporters,” Mr McLachlan said.
 
“Today is an important and historic day, for football in Tasmania, for football in Australia, for footy supporters all around the country.
 
“Today we are here to ensure a foundation football state, filled with believers, supporters and gravel rash grit, get the opportunity to unite their state and unite behind a single cause.

Rockliff also speak to the significance the 19th AFL team will have to Tasmanians.

“This is a proud and ground-breaking moment in our history - put simply, Tasmania will never be the same again," the Tasmanian premier said on Wednesday.
 
“After more than a century, the AFL will finally be complete and recognised as a truly national competition.
 
“We have fought hard to deliver this and I couldn’t be prouder to deliver our own team, that will take the field in our own colours, and sing our own song.
 
“For everyone who has backed us and Believed– thank you for sticking with us, as we’ve brought this home.
 
“Tasmania’s time has come."

New CEO-elect Andrew Dillon spoke to the excitement around a new team and what it would mean for the league and Tasmania.

"It's a really exciting time and there's some key decisions probably to be had in the next potentially day or coming days and coming weeks about Tasmania," Dillon said on Monday.

"But all the building blocks are in place and we're really looking forward. It's exciting."

When will Tasmania play in the AFL?

The Tasmanian men's team is set to join the competition in 2028.

An AFLW team will feature in Tasmania but a timeline is currently being worked through.

VFL and VFLW teams will enter before 2028 according to premier Jeremy Rockliff, with sides aiming to join in the second-tier league from 2025.

Tasmanian team name

The name of the team is yet to be landed on, with the popular "Tassie Devils" flagged as an option.

However, this could cause a stoush with entertainment juggernaut Warner Brothers, who commercially own the name that's given to the famous Looney Tunes character.

7News journalist Mitch Cleary has provided an update on the new team's name, saying that the "Devils" was the overwhelming favourite.

Cleary then went on to say that the AFL has entered into dialogue with Warner Brothers about the use of the name.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff also weighed in on the name debate.

Discussions with Warner Bros about potentially using the Tasmanian Devils name are ongoing.

But, let’s face it, it’s our animal, and we’ll use it if we want.

It’s Tasmanians team, so we’ll get together as a State soon and choose a name.

— Jeremy Rockliff (@jeremyrockliff) May 9, 2023

However, AFL legend and Tasmanian great Matthew Richardson suggested "Islanders" as the name.

“I think we should go for something new. But you know what I recommend that people should decide … throw it out there and let the people of Tasmania come up with some names and some ideas and then let them let them vote on it,” Richardson told RSN.

“I did mention the Islanders the other day. It is what it is, Tassie is an island. There are other teams called the Islanders. That’s one that immediately came to mind.

“We’ve done the Devils, we’ve done the Mariners.”

Tasmanian team guernsey

The club's colours will be decided through a community campaign later in the year, with name, logo, guernsey and song all to be settled on.

Aidan Cellini

Aidan Cellini Photo

Aidan has surrounded himself with all types of sport, but resonates most with AFL and basketball as he still plays both competitively. He loves being active and enjoys sharing sporting moments with friends and family.

In his spare time, Aidan likes to read biographies as well as keep active and healthy. He's also a big fan of Matthew McConaughey and Marvel movies.