If there was a vote on this issue, what would you vote, yes or no.
Personally I would vote No because in my eyes it has ruined what I knew was local football.
I pose this question only because there has been discussion about the issue before.
I have no problem with having Tasmania in the competition, I went to Hobart for the Tasmania vs Frankston game earlier this season, it was a fatastic game played in front of a good crowd at Bellerive. I think there is a place for them for years to come. Looking forward to the rematch this Saturday at Frankston(this match is the ABC TV game) it should be a classic. If the last meeting is anything to go by.
I would keep them in because it adds a further dimension to the competition.
There are some management issues with the process, like how the reserves games are fixtured when the seniors play in Tassie, but other than that, its all good.
I don't have any problem with them playing in the VFL... They have a better level of support in their media, and some good grounds.
I think Tassy needs some kind of elite club, as part of the whole pathway to the AFL thing.
Ive made the trip down a couple of times, and it has been well worth it.
Im not a big fan of Tassie esp now they are at the bottom.
I think its questionable to have a team that is in the comp just because it can pull reasonable crowds at home in another state.
When they come to Vic they have very little support so that cancels out any advantage that the VFL clubs get.
Another bonus if they retired from the VFL would be that the stupid byes would go with a more equal draw and a final 6 could be introduced.
But seeing the Devils are Gannons love child I don't seeing them leaving anytime soon - more's the pity.
I think its a case of providing Tasmania an opportunity to develop footballers, by providing them with an opposition thats at a higher level that anything they will be exposed to in the current Tassy Leagues.
Sure, that is a Tasmanian issue, but for the good of Australian Football, the Devils playing in the VFL isn't such a bad move.
Ideally if their local comps were of a higher standard then the Devils might not be needed, but the reality is these days the standard has dropped off a fair bit down there.
I don't think anyone here has put up a convinving argument for not having them in the competition.
Most to the Tassie people that I have seen comment on the Devils blame them in part for the parlous state of local footy in the Apple isle.
Lets face it the only way they can be competitive in the VFL is by buying some ex AFL or VFL players as the local product is clearly not up to it.
Tasmania may well be sitting on the bottom of the ladder at the moment, but they are really not that far away and are a better side than their position indicates.
The players they lost over the summer would be difficult for any side to replace, and a year of blooding some kids will do both the side, and the state's players a lot of good.
I would not right them off just yet.
A side sitting on the bottom with a percentage of 85 is a bit unusual, and suggests that they are not far away.
They are good for the competition, and will probably finish in 9th spot, a game behind Box Hill.
I'm a yes. I would like to see Tassie get their shit together, though, and sort out this stupid Hobart v Launceston crap.
What has their position on the ladder got to do with anything? Someone has to be last and at some stage we have all been there.
The Hobart v Launceston "crap" has nothing to do with Football.
It is the way of life in the state. They even have 2 differant beers!!
That will never be fixed, and football just has to deal with it and forget about trying to please evryone on the island.
Just make a stand and move on.
Get rid of them, I don't want them in the competition.
The only time they worry me is when its finals time and they get games handed to them on a platter.
I hardly ever get to watch them live as they play sides I'm interested in all the time in Tasmania, and come here to play the likes of Nth Ballarat, Frankston, Bendigo and Geelong.