When North Melbourne was given the okay to play a few home games in Sydney in the late 1990s, the Swans were not impressed.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Login or signup to continue reading

Sydney's vice-captain at the time, Andrew Dunkley, made it clear to the media that his team had worked hard to cement its following in the NSW capital and was not keen on another club coming into its territory.

North's experiment only lasted two years.

It was far less successful than Hawthorn's move into a traditional footy state with no team, where they could build a loyal following.

Which they have in Tasmania from 2001 onwards.

But fast forward more than 25 years and the story is feeling similar to the division between the Kangaroos and Swans. But there are some key differences.

Rather than the home team worried about an interloper, this time the home team is yet to take the field, but is obviously worried about what has come before them and its impact on the club.

Devils CEO Brendon Gale has made it clear the club would prefer the AFL not fixture any Hawks games in Launceston, like the one we saw on Anzac Day, from 2028 onwards.

Meanwhile, the Launceston community has responded with petitions and letters calling for the Hawks to........

© The Examiner