Hawthorn's 25-Year Tasmania Run Ends with Hope for Future

For a quarter century, the Hawthorn Hawks have called Launceston their second home, and now that remarkable partnership is coming to an end with hope on the horizon.

Since 2001, the Hawks have played four home games per year at York Park, transforming the northern Tasmanian city into a football destination. The team won four premierships during this era, creating memories that span generations of fans.

The numbers tell a powerful story of community impact. In 2022 alone, Hawthorn games generated $23.6 million for Tasmania's economy, with about 12,500 fans attending each match. Sixteen percent of those supporters traveled from interstate or overseas, combining their Hawks passion with Tasmanian tourism.

Victorian fan Alan Pell represents that devoted crowd perfectly. He's in Launceston combining game day with golf, soaking up the atmosphere one more time. "Because it's the second-last year that we're going to be over here, people are really experiencing their last efforts," he said.

The timing stings for Launceston. The city is already facing the closure of iconic Boag's Brewery and the Liberty Bell Bay smelter. Losing the Hawks feels like another blow to a community trying to stay optimistic.

"It's a major hit," said Alex Britton, a local restaurant owner and city councillor. But he's quick to add there are "lots of good things going on" too.

The AFL decided in May to end Hawthorn's arrangement to make room for Tasmania's own team, the Devils, who debut in 2028. While Hawthorn expressed disappointment at being "forced" out despite a strong case to stay, the club understands the bigger picture.

The Ripple Effect

The Hawks' departure isn't an ending but a transformation. York Park will host some Devils home games initially, keeping the economic engine running for local businesses and the hospitality sector.

The excitement around Tasmania finally getting its own AFL team is building momentum. After decades of hosting other teams, the state will have a squad to call its own, creating jobs, pride, and a new chapter in Australian football.

Hawthorn's head of operations in Tasmania, David Cox, sees the future clearly. He expects a Devils versus Hawks matchup in Launceston will be "a blockbuster sellout" and "an amazing way to kick off the Devils' journey."

Hawks fans are embracing both nostalgia and possibility. They're hoping their team makes the most of these final two seasons, potentially even bringing a premiership back to Tasmania as a farewell gift.

Alan Pell plans to return for that first Devils game, cheering loudly for the Hawks while watching Tasmania's newest team make history.

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