I believe that they will. I can't see them not having a side in the comp, unless they are looking at spreading the players out in the Tassie league.. Because a single side would dominate.
It was reported earlier this year on the AFL's website (here: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1475452/vfl-competition-structure-update) that the AFL has said the structure of the VFL won't change through the end of 2028, so that implies Tassie still fielding a VFL side in 2028.
Not sure where I saw it but I remember reading that the AFL's ideal VFL structure post-2028 would be the 10 Victorian AFL reserves sides + Tassie + the VFA/VFL standalones (with some suggestion that the AFL would really rather 5 standalones than 6...). Not sure how they'd get the Queensland and NSW clubs to agree to that, but at any rate it sounds like the AFL actually wants Tassie in the VFL long-term.
I heard a similar rumour that the AFL wants the competition to return to a Victorian state league (with Tasmania included) in the near future, but my understanding is that the QAFL isn't up to standard for the Queensland AFL clubs and I assume the same would be true for this Sydney Football League that is set to start next year.
I would prefer to see it happen. As far as I'm concerned the state of the game in the northern states isn't our concern and removing interstate travel aside from Tasmania will ease a huge burden on clubs and players.
I believe that they will. I can't see them not having a side in the comp, unless they are looking at spreading the players out in the Tassie league.. Because a single side would dominate.
Happy to be corrected though!
* It's time to restore the VFA name.
It was reported earlier this year on the AFL's website (here: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1475452/vfl-competition-structure-update) that the AFL has said the structure of the VFL won't change through the end of 2028, so that implies Tassie still fielding a VFL side in 2028.
Not sure where I saw it but I remember reading that the AFL's ideal VFL structure post-2028 would be the 10 Victorian AFL reserves sides + Tassie + the VFA/VFL standalones (with some suggestion that the AFL would really rather 5 standalones than 6...). Not sure how they'd get the Queensland and NSW clubs to agree to that, but at any rate it sounds like the AFL actually wants Tassie in the VFL long-term.
I heard a similar rumour that the AFL wants the competition to return to a Victorian state league (with Tasmania included) in the near future, but my understanding is that the QAFL isn't up to standard for the Queensland AFL clubs and I assume the same would be true for this Sydney Football League that is set to start next year.
I would prefer to see it happen. As far as I'm concerned the state of the game in the northern states isn't our concern and removing interstate travel aside from Tasmania will ease a huge burden on clubs and players.