Create a Stir: Chris Fagan Insists Opposition to Tassie Stadium is a ‘Minority’ Despite Alarming Survey Findings

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has once again called on his fellow Tasmanians to unite in support of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart, emphasising that many may not fully grasp the magnitude of this opportunity.

Without the construction of the $1 billion stadium, the Tasmanian Devils will fail to come to fruition, and the AFL will withdraw their provisional licence.

As Tasmania approaches a snap state election, further uncertainty looms over the future of the proposed 23,000-seat covered venue.

“To be truthful, I’m not entirely convinced that everyone down there appreciates the incredible opportunity presented by having an AFL team along with a new stadium in Hobart,” Fagan stated during an interview with SEN.

“This facility can serve more than just football; it can host cricket events and a wide range of entertainment activities.”

“Every other state in Australia boasts a top-notch stadium capable of these functions, except Tasmania.

“While I might face backlash from some, I believe those critics form a small, loud minority.”

A recent YouGov poll revealed that nearly 70% of Tasmanians are not in favour of the current agreement between the state government and the AFL.

Residents appear to believe there might be a chance to renegotiate terms with the AFL, which could potentially relax stadium requirements; however, that seems doubtful at this point.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon has consistently maintained that any renegotiation would prompt a complete reconsideration of the business case for the team.

Fagan believes that the stadium is crucial for the success of the Tasmanian franchise, especially concerning player retention.

“The crucial aspect is that players seek out good stadiums; they absolutely want that,” he remarked.

“Additionally, a top-quality training facility is essential since we need to attract the best players to join us here. This includes having excellent facilities for training.

It seems unlikely that the 2024 premiership coach will take the helm at the Devils, as he has indicated he will likely begin to scale back his professional commitments once his time with the Lions concludes.

Nonetheless, he is willing to support the club in any way possible from Melbourne, to where he plans to return after leaving the Lions.

“I intend to see through my time with the Brisbane Lions, and I’m uncertain how much longer that will be,” Fagan said.

“While I have two more years on my current contract, if there’s a part-time role that would suit me, especially one that allows me to live in Melbourne, I’d certainly be keen to do whatever I could to assist.”