AFL ends Hawthorn’s Launceston games as Tasmania Devils set to join league

Hawthorn Football Club Tasmania Devils Launceston AFL schedule 2028 season

The Australian Football League announced that Hawthorn Football Club will cease playing home matches in Launceston after the 2027 season. The decision clears the way for the newly created Tasmania Devils, who will enter the competition in 2028 and become the primary AFL team in the state. AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley thanked Hawthorn for its 25‑year contribution to Tasmanian football and highlighted the economic benefits the club brought to the region. Hawthorn issued a statement calling the move "extremely disappointing" and warned of a material impact on the club both on‑ and off‑field. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed the government will support the Devils with at least six AFL games in Launceston from 2028, ending any expectation of further Hawthorn fixtures.

Sources

‘Extremely disappointed’: Hawks forced out of Tasmania as league prepares for Devils [www.smh.com.au]

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Hang on, didn't the government promise Hawks games in Launceston post-2027? [www.examiner.com.au]

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Demolished 1870 Launceston home was subject to emergency heritage enquiry [www.examiner.com.au]

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Team 18 drivers await Tassie challenge [autoaction.com.au]

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Hawks 'extremely disappointed' as AFL forces an end to Launceston era [www.theadvocate.com.au]

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