It had to happen sooner or later - but in the opinion of many people the Tasmanian proposal to enter a state team in the national Australian Rules competition is a case of tilting at windmills.
Our smallest state has a population less than half a million people. It would be difficult to attract the financial support necessary for such a venture - and another problem would be selecting the home base for such a team.
Tasmanians tend to be parochial and there is intense rivalry between Hobart, Launceston and the cities of the north-west coast. Finding a home for the team would be like finding agreement between Sydney and Melbourne !
If the proposal did succeed it would be necessary for the code to introduce a " no poaching " clause - and be ready to enforce it. Tasmania has long been a training ground and nursery for the cashed-up Melbourne clubs.
Any local player showing merit attracted the attention of the ever present talen scouts and was promptly offered huge incentives to sign up and cross Bass strait. Players could not be blamed for deserting Tasmania - given the chance to become rich and famous in the big time. Melbourne clubs have a sprinkling of former Tasmanians amongst their ranks and some went on to coaching positions.
There is also a danger that such a Tasmanian team could be a trap for players with outstanding skill. Without the financial backing necessary to compete with the big clubs such a team could forever languish at the bottom of the table, and a " no poaching " clause would effectively quarantine any promising Tasmanian player to remain in that state forever.
The proposal deserves careful consideration, but it also requires forward thinking by the board of the code. Australian Rules is a fast expanding game and if Tasmania is to be included in the national competition it would be worth supporting financially. Hopefully, big minds will be applied to thinking this through - and making bold decisions - if the code is to become an all states game !
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