LAUNCESTON'S bid to launch a second VFL team in Tasmania would need an annual budget of more than $1 million and a guarantee that its team would be competitive in Australia's second strongest football league.
VFL boss Ken Gannon said that to even be considered for a spot in the league and follow in the footsteps of the highly successful Tasmanian Devils, a second Tasmanian team would need to raise a budget strong enough to make it an asset to the competition, not a liability.
The Northern Bombers have launched the surprise push for a second VFL license.
But the Launceston club is not likely to get its proposal off the ground unless it has the financial firepower to make it work.
Then it must gain the approval of AFL Tasmania, and then the VFL and its member 13 clubs.
Bombers president Reg Lyons said his club had already received a promising response from potential backers.
But he said it was too early to have them sign on the dotted line for what he hopes will be a call-up to the VFL in 2007.
"We've spoken to eight very large sponsors from the North and North-West Coast and they are very keen to come on board," Lyons said.
"It's too early to go into it, we haven't got a concrete answer back from AFL Tasmania and Ken Gannon." The Tasmanian Devils' program costs $1.1 million annually.
The club raises most of the money through gate takings, memberships, sponsorships and corporate support. Another $150,000 comes from the AFL.
"That $150,000 we were able to negotiate as support from the AFL for help with airfares after the collapse of the Statewide League," said AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade.
"The Devils still come up with a $170,000 shortfall, which is essentially underwritten by AFL Tasmania."
Football Victoria will not give the go-ahead to a second Tasmanian VFL license without the approval of AFL Tasmania. And given that Wade said on Wednesday AFL Tasmania would never give it the green light if it was going to have a detrimental effect on the Devils, the Bombers may be fighting a losing battle.
"How much do they need to run a VFL club? That's a good question," Wade said.
"Before it can be given any consideration, we need to see their financial plan."
The board of Football Victoria will discuss the Northern Bombers' submission at its next meeting on October 4.
By: JAMES BRESNEHAN
Last Modified on 26/09/2005 10:18