For the first time ever, Tasmania will host two AFL matches across two consecutive days next weekend, making it a blockbuster weekend of top class footy for Tasmanians to get behind.
The announcement from the AFL this evening, follows positive and constructive conversations throughout this week and across the weekend between the AFL, North Melbourne, Hawthorn and the Tasmanian Government while the COVID-19 situation in metropolitan Melbourne has been monitored.
The AFL has now decided that Tasmania will host two matches this coming weekend due to crowd restrictions in Melbourne associated with the COVID-19 situation in that state. Moving the matches to Tasmania ensures they can be played in a COVID-safe manner, while giving Tassie footy fans and those across the country, currently not subject to travel restrictions, the opportunity to attend the matches.
The two matches will be North Melbourne and Brisbane on Saturday the 19th of June at Blundstone Arena, followed by Hawthorn and Essendon on Sunday, the 20th, at UTAS stadium.
Similar to the game held this weekend between North Melbourne and GWS, the two matches will be conducted in a COVID safe manner, with the same fly in fly out process for players and support staff as has previously been approved by Public Health and the Deputy State Controller.
This is a win for Tassie football fans, and will build on the momentum being generated across this week by Dark MOFO which will commence on Wednesday 16 June and run until Tuesday 22 June – making it a week not to be missed in Tassie.
I’d like to thank the AFL and both Hawthorn and North Melbourne Football Clubs for working so closely and constructively with the Tasmanian Government and our Public Health authorities to ensure these matches can proceed in a safe way in front of what we expect to be very strong crowds in Tasmania.
There’s so much to look forward to this week in Tassie, so get out and experience and support the world class cultural and sporting events being held right here in Tassie.