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“Build a club that Tasmania is proud of”: Gale speaks on draft concessions, entry and stadium for the Tasmanian AFL team
Nicholas Quinlan • February 7th, 2025 4:14 pm
The CEO of Tasmania’s AFL team, Brendon Gale, has spoken on the opportunity to come back home and take charge of the venture.
Gale touched on all things relating to the incoming Devils, including draft concessions, entry into the VFL/AFL and the Macquarie Point Stadium.
Speaking on SEN Tassie Breakfast, the former Richmond chief spoke of the magnitude to be able to return to his own state and take this opportunity.
“After 15 years, it sounded about right at Richmond,” Gale said.
“We had some incredible success and the whole narrative was about change and renewal and I though it was my time.
“When I arrived at that point, the Tasmanian opportunity loomed really large. I had some really productive discussions with Grant (O’Brien)
“Intellectually, how often do you get the chance in life to do this. It became too seductive in the end.”
With his position confirmed as CEO, the attention for Gale and his team turns into getting the AFL, AFLW and VFL teams ready for entry and building an adequate list.
“We are not here just to make up the numbers, we want a club that Tasmania is proud of,” Gale says.
“In short, it’s going to be some of the key football decisions, the key football thinkers and leaders that will be onboarding early.
“Clearly, we’ve got some key football milestones looming. We’ve got some list rules to be resolved, they’ll inform the manner that we build our list.
“So, some wise heads, some experience and capabilities around list management, recruiting is going to be essential.”
In this space of list build, Gale has been critical of the potential draft concessions that Tasmania may receive in comparison to what the Gold Coast Suns and the GWS Giants received back when they were established.
“We’re just seeking clarification on why there is a difference and once we do we’ll go back and have those discussions with the AFL,” Gale said of the draft.
“When the Giants and the Suns were established, they got an incredible hand of draft picks of high early draft picks and clearly they were exclusively elite young talent and the best talent in the land.
“It probably meant they were a little imbalanced and inconsequently, well the Suns in particular it’s fair to say probably quiet hadn’t reach the level of competitiveness that we would have liked and its lead to players leaving.
“The Giants took a slightly different tact and brought in some experience. So, I guess the AFL, they don’t want a new team to have all the elite young players. Those players need to be surrounded by hardened football professionals that have been around the place a long time.
“It is not going to be as generous, certainly from what we have seen in the first draft as what was provided to the clubs.”
Gale cited that he would like to see the Tasmania team playing in the VFL for next year which would keep them on their planned entry to the AFL in 2028.
“We would like to be in the VFL sooner rather than later.”
“So, if for example if we are in the VFL next year, we are going to have to be making some decisions and appointments by middle to late this year which then provides potential pathways into the elite program in a year or two down the track.”
However, he did hesitate to confirm whether the senior coach they would appoint for the VFL team will be their first AFL coach.
“I don’t know, a lot depends on the availability of some wonderful coaches who tick all the boxes but a lot who are tied up contractually,” he continued.
“I mean does it give someone an opportunity who is available, who might really jump at the opportunity to come to the VFL and really grow with the team.”
“So, we will be working with the board and providing advice and taking advice from them as well.”
Gale was also asked about the development of the Macquarie Point Stadium and gave an impassioned plea to what it could do for the state of Tasmania and it’s AFL side.
“For football to compete (in Tasmania), you need to be financially strong,” the chief said further.
“In AFL football, to be financially strong, you need a really strong stadium deal. It is the strongest determinant of financial strength in the competition.
“Port Adelaide, I’ve seen a stadium (Adelaide Oval) change the destiny of that club.
“Port Adelaide were a club in the margins. They had to put up tarps over their seats (at Footy Park). They have moved to Adelaide Oval, and it has transformed that club. It transformed the city and the state.
“I’ve seen Fremantle who were a club in the margins go to Optus Stadium. Transformed that club.
“I’ve seen Geelong who were a marginal business. I’ve seen a stadium (GMHBA) transform that club and that city and that region.
“So, yes. It is a really strong contributor to the success of the club, and we want to be successful, but it provides such so much economic impact and benefit and social benefit to the state of Tasmania.”
For more of Brendon Gale's chat on the Tasmanian AFL team, press the play button below or find it on Spotify or any other podcast platforms.
