Tasmania has identified its maiden AFL rival two years before it’s even entered the league, as it attempts to end Hawthorn’s long-standing relationship with the state.

The Devils, who will join the league as its 19th team at the start of 2028, have desperately begun their bid to ensure they are the only side playing home games in the state — a wish that would end the Hawks’ 26-year run playing at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium (formerly York Park).

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Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, reporter Jon Ralph revealed the wish of inaugural CEO Brendon Gale ahead of their inception.

“Brendon Gale has issued an urgent plea to the AFL: Hawthorn must depart the state in time for the Devils’ first AFL game in 2028,” Ralph said on Tuesday night.

“The Hawks have had a deal dating back to 2001. The current deal is for the next two years. Four games a year, it’s worth $9m in total.

“As Brendon told me today: ‘The Tassie business case and the financial models never contemplated having a ‘rival’ within the state. We’ve had to import content for the last few years, but now we have our own team. This is a historic moment, and we need to win the hearts and minds of all Tasmanians.’”

Fellow panellist and Herald Sun journalist Scott Gullan added: “It’s a no-brainer, and the AFL should hit it on the head right now. They need free air, this is their new baby being born there.

“You want to be able to do everything … not have people walking around with Hawthorn jumpers. They need to be all in. This state, as we know, can be divided — bring them together, you’ve got your own team. Go, go!”

The details come after the finishing date for the club’s brand-new stadium at Mac Point was quietly delayed until the start of the 2031 stadium.

The venue, which is tipped to cost $1.13 billion, will be roofed and hold 23,000 seats at Hobart’s Macquarie Point, which was approved by Tasmanian parliament late last year.

“The update now is that the new Mac Point Stadium will be ready in 2031. 2028 is the first season, so that’s three full seasons at Hobart’s Ninja Stadium, and also Launceston’s UTAS Stadium,” Ralph continued.

“Gale says, in his words: ‘It’s not ideal’. But, he does admit it might mean more games across Launceston than across Ninja (Stadium). Launceston just had a $120m renovation, it will be an elite stadium there.

“You actually have to give Tasmania three full years to say: ‘We want to win these people back’ … I think those three years are even more important than they’ve ever been , given the lack of a stadium at Mac Point.”

New renders of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, home of the Tasmanian Devils. Provided May 26, 2025.Source: News Corp Australia

The Devils will play their first ever VFL match this Saturday afternoon against Coburg at North Hobart Oval, two seasons prior to their AFL debut.

But, while the club won’t officially begin recruiting current AFL players until at least the end of this year, Gullan notes that the lack of continuity for the club and its home venue for the first three years could be a major turn-off for any potential recruits they approach.

“The biggest issue is a player going there … three years, going all over the state. If I’m a star — let’s go with Ryley Sanders — he’ll be 26 when the stadium is finally built, he would’ve had eight years in the AFL. Why would you go earlier than that?” Gullan questioned.

“I don’t think he’s going there, but his name keeps on coming up. Why would he go before that fancy, billion-dollar stadium’s there to welcome him?”