"Thousands of Storm fans would travel to Tasmania for games."
Tasmania Targets Top-Tier Sport After Hawks Exit
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is actively seeking to secure high-level sporting events for the state, following the decision by AFL club Hawthorn to end its home games in Launceston after 2027.
Storm and Victory on the Radar
Rockliff recently held discussions with executives from two of Victoria's biggest sporting clubs: the Melbourne Storm (NRL) and Melbourne Victory (A-League).
Storm CEO Justin Rodski confirmed the Premier's interest, noting that Rockliff expressed a clear desire to have the Storm play matches in Tasmania. "The club is confident the Tasmanian public would support rugby league if the Storm were to play there," Rodski said, though he added that any deal ultimately depends on commercial viability.
Stadium Upgrades Pivotal to Plans
The state's ability to host new codes hinges on infrastructure. The redevelopment of York Park in Launceston, budgeted at $130 million, is considered central to attracting NRL and A-League games. In contrast, a planned new waterfront stadium in Hobart is not expected to be completed until 2031.
Local Rugby League Leaders Encouraged
Former Tasmanian Rugby League president Justin Kearney described the meeting as a positive development for the code in the state. He noted that while Tasmania has never hosted a regular-season NRL game, trial matches have previously drawn crowds of over 11,000 fans.
Kearney believes the potential is even greater for regular-season fixtures, stating that thousands of Storm fans from Victoria would travel to Tasmania for games.