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Sport Nation
Tassie catastrophe: What today's outcome means for the Devils
Jaiden Sciberras • June 5th, 2025 8:16 pm
- Tasmania will go back to the polls
- Devils are overwhelmed by uncertainty
- Politicians are accused of "killing the club"
- AFL is yet to comment
Today, the reality of the Tasmania Devils Football Club has taken a severe hit, with a state election to take place after a no-confidence motion passed against Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
Beyond the political jargon and the complications surrounding the Tasmanian Government, it’s important to understand what this result means for the football club, and why the no-confidence notion could spell out the death of the Devils’ AFL dream.
The major concern for the Devils is the deal struck with the AFL, permitting their license to join the league. The deal, which must be fulfilled in full before their inaugural season in 2028, involves the construction of a 23,000 seat, roofed stadium in Macquarie Point.
In preparation for the construction of the stadium, the estimated cost has risen close to the $1bn mark, far greater than its initial estimation.
Despite both Labour and Liberal governing bodies openly supporting the construction of the stadium, the issues lie far beyond whichever major party claims power, with independent parties (who oppose the stadium) set to take up key seats in Parliament, and time constraints as a result of the election expected to cause catastrophe.
Following a long day of coverage on SEN Tassie, journalist Brent Costelloe joined SEN Sportsday to wrap up a hectic day in the country’s southernmost state, speaking specifically on the ramifications on the pending stadium.
“It was on tenterhooks already, the stadium,” Costelloe said.
“Labour and the Liberals are both supportive of the stadium, but the issues are going to be when they have to form a government. I don’t believe either party will be able to form a majority government.
“Like last time, there’s going to have to be deals done with the independents, and that’s where the problems are going to lie. A lot of the independents, in fact most of them, are against the stadium. That’s where the problems are going to be moving forward.
“I just can’t see a path forward. It’s going to be a delaying game, a waiting game, the AFL hasn’t said too much on it apart from the deal still stands, we need a 23,000 roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.
“Really uncertain times we’re heading into now, I reckon there will be a lot of nervous people around tonight.
“I’ve tried to remain positive all of the way through, trying to think of a way that this could happen.
“I’ve asked so many people today, ‘what’s the road map out of this look like’, and no one can answer my question. We just don’t know how these deals will be struck once we do go to the election etc., and that’s going to be critical in getting the stadium ticked off.
“The other thing with all this as well, even if the stadium does get passed in Parliament, it’s going to be delayed again. This is going to be another waiting game.
“The other issue is a lot of these constriction companies are being locked up now for the Brisbane ‘32 Olympics, so we might not have anyone to build this stadium by the time we get there. There are so many sub-plots to it.
“The longer you leave it, the costs continue to rise. That’s only if it gets approved as well. There’s so many speedbumps and hurdles to overcome, you feel like banging your head against the wall sometimes.”
As of publishing, both the AFL and the Tasmania Devils are yet to comment.
