AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has confirmed that a 20th team is “likely” in the future, as he revealed that the Devils were the best name for the new 19th team in Tasmania. Speaking at North Hobart Oval, McLachlan said that the new team is expected to enter state-level football by 2025 and be ready for the AFL by 2028, with a new stadium. The name of the new team is expected to be decided by popular vote, with the Devils being the most likely option.
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McLachlan addressed questions about the implications for the draft and potential list formation, but suggested that the pressing issue was the name of the new team. He said that the Tasmanian and broader football community would likely get involved in the process and that the Devils seemed to make the most sense to him. While he acknowledged that there were legal and copyright issues to be worked through, he believed that these could be overcome.
According to McLachlan, the AFL had “never been more prepared” to build a new team and a new club. He also hinted that byes, with an uneven competition, might not last long, as it was unfavourable for clubs and broadcasters to have teams not playing. This could mean that a 20th team is on the horizon sooner rather than later.
“The history of the AFL is we have had five or six years where we’ve had an uneven number of teams and have gone from 12 to now 19,” McLachlan said. “There’s been a history of growth, there’s been some contraction but it will play out. What I am certain of is at some point there will be an even amount of teams, which will be for someone else to decide. I think the most likely is it will go to 20 teams. At some point it will end up with an even number of teams.”
The announcement of the new team in Tasmania has been met with excitement from football fans across the country. Tasmania has a strong football culture, with a history of producing some of the best players in the game. The addition of a new team in the state is expected to provide a major boost to the local economy, as well as to football in general.
The Devils name has a strong connection to Tasmania, with the state’s VFL team being known as the Tasmanian Devils. The name has been part of the official proposal for the new team, but there are trademark and copyright issues to be worked through. McLachlan is confident that these issues can be resolved, and that the name will be popular with the Tasmanian and broader football community.
Overall, the addition of a new team in Tasmania is a major development for the AFL. The league has been looking to expand for some time, and Tasmania has been a strong candidate for a new team. With the Devils likely to be the name of the new team, football fans across the country will be eagerly anticipating the debut of the 19th team in Tasmania, and the potential arrival of a 20th team in the future.