Tasmania Devils AFL: Tim Paine Slams Saga
- Tasmania's long-sought bid for an AFL team faces fresh uncertainty amid political turmoil, while Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan ignited debate wiht his goal celebration during their victory over the...
- former Test wicketkeeper Tim Paine suggested Tasmania risks being a "laughingstock" if it fails to secure an AFL team.
- Premier Jeremy Rockliff's leadership is under pressure, with speculation mounting that his Liberal colleagues may deny him the chance to contest a snap election.
Tim Paine slams the Tasmania Devils’ AFL team bid, fearing the state risks becoming a “laughingstock.” Political headwinds jeopardize the team’s future, placing Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s leadership under immense scrutiny. News directory 3 reports that internal pressure mounts as Rockliff battles to secure the billion-dollar Macquarie Point stadium. Amid the political turmoil, Jack Ginnivan’s on-field party during Hawthorn’s victory over the Western Bulldogs polarizes opinions, sparking debate among teammates and coaches. The Hawthorn win, featuring improved tackling, elevates the team’s standing. What developments will shape the Tasmania AFL saga next?
Tasmania AFL Team Bid in Doubt; Ginnivan’s celebration Divides opinion
Updated June 06, 2025
Tasmania’s long-sought bid for an AFL team faces fresh uncertainty amid political turmoil, while Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan ignited debate wiht his goal celebration during their victory over the Western Bulldogs.
former Test wicketkeeper Tim Paine suggested Tasmania risks being a “laughingstock” if it fails to secure an AFL team. He lamented the state’s perceived inability to “get stuff done,” saying it’s embarrassing when people “continually shit-can us.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s leadership is under pressure, with speculation mounting that his Liberal colleagues may deny him the chance to contest a snap election. Political analyst Brad Stansfield predicted the Liberals would be “annihilated” in a winter campaign. Former premier David Bartlett believes Rockliff may face internal pressure to step aside, possibly even preferring retirement.
Rockliff revealed he resisted internal opposition to support the billion-dollar Macquarie Point stadium, declaring, “I’ve always said, ‘Stuff votes’ … I’ll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it.”
Meanwhile, Jack Ginnivan’s on-field antics sparked debate. After showing the ball to a Western bulldogs opponent during Hawthorn’s win, Ginnivan posted on X, “why everyone wanna be so serious, bro can’t have fun,” adding dinosaur emojis.
Teammate Mabior Chol, who scored four goals himself, admitted, “I wasn’t a fan of it, to be honest,” while Dylan Moore said, “That’s Ginni being Ginni… I absolutely love that.”
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge downplayed the incident, suggesting, “Next time we play the Hawks they won’t even remember it, and I won’t show it. That’s what he [Ginnivan] dose, that’s the way he rolls.”
Hawthorn’s victory, witnessed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, followed a week of criticism and lifted them to 6-6. coach Sam Mitchell emphasized the team’s improved tackling, saying, “It was a clear focus for us coming into the game.”
what’s next
The Tasmanian government faces a crucial period as it navigates political challenges and works to secure its AFL team bid. Meanwhile, Jack Ginnivan’s future performances and on-field behavior will continue to be closely watched.