- Tasmania Devils membership generates resounding success
- The new club is already off to a brilliant start
- The Tasmania Devils are the 19th team in the competition
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Tasmania’s AFL club sold more than 40,000 foundation memberships within two hours of unveiling its mascot and team colors on Monday night.
The club announced on Monday night it would be known as the Tasmania Devils and would wear a traditional green jumper with a yellow card of the island state in a nod to its history.
He launched $10 foundation memberships, giving fans an identifying membership card, stickers and access to yet-to-be-released merchandise.
More than 40,000 memberships were sold within two hours of going live.
In comparison, expansion clubs Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast Suns had 33,036 and 23,359 members respectively at the end of 2023.
The Tasmanian AFL and AFLW team colours, logo and foundation jersey have been released.
However, they still have a long way to go to reach clubs like Collingwood (106,470 members), West Coast (103,275) and Richmond (101,349).
Free tickets to the launch, held simultaneously at multiple venues across Tasmania, were also quickly snapped up.
“Your club has been blown away by the support shown by the community,” Tasmania Football Club president Grant O’Brien said.
“This has been a truly special moment in our state’s football history with thousands of Tasmanians joining in the cheers and tears.”
Tasmanian-born premiership winner and former coach Rodney Eade was part of the launch in Hobart.
“You know (the team) is going to be a success, the way Tasmania has supported it,” Eade told AAP.
The former Swans, Bulldogs and Suns mentor has urged his home state to examine the potential benefits of a controversial new stadium linked to the AFL’s 19th license.
Tasmania’s entry into the competition is dependent on the construction of a new 23,000-seat indoor stadium on the waterfront at Macquarie Point in Hobart.
The new club already has 40,000 members, putting it ahead of two established AFL teams.
Clubs say they are blown away by all the support they have received
The project, estimated to cost $715 million, was signed and supported by the state’s Liberal government, which is seeking a fourth term in office in Saturday’s election.
Opposition Labor leader Rebecca White has described the stadium as a poor priority for the state and wants to try to renegotiate the deal, although AFL CEO Andrew Dillon remains unmoved.
White said she would prefer to see a team thrive at existing venues before considering new infrastructure.
The club, set to take the field in the AFL and AFLW in 2028, will play at Blundstone Arena in Hobart and the University of Tasmania in Launceston for its first year.
The stadium, which has not yet been designed, is subject to an independent planning assessment and must then be voted on by both houses of Parliament.
Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse recently accused the AFL of “imposing” the stadium on a small state that doesn’t need it.
“I know some people have different views on this,” Eade said.
“But it will be great for Tasmania. It will be a multi-purpose stadium…the revenue and what that will generate for the economy (will be beneficial).
“(It will) create jobs for our youth…an aspiration for boys and girls.” It is obvious.
The Liberals have committed to capping their spending on the stadium at $375 million, with the federal government contributing $240 million, the AFL $15 million and the rest coming from borrowing, leasing and investment private.