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North Melbourne to play 12 more matches in Tasmania

The Roos will continue their partnership with the Apple Isle for another three years.

Published by
Mitch Keating

North Melbourne will continue to host home AFL matches in Tasmania for the next three seasons, with 12 games to be played from 2023-2025.

As part of their announcement with Spirit of Tasmania extending their partnership with the Kangaroos, the Arden Street club confirmed 12 further matches will be held in Hobart as part of their schedule for the next three seasons.

The Kangaroos played four matches in the Apple Isle capital this year, facing Geelong, Port Adelaide, Adelaide and Hawthorn.

North Melbourne have played a total of 31 matches at Bellerive Oval in over a decade as they continue their partnership and representation in Tasmania.

The 2023 AFL fixture is expected to be revealed as early as next week, with the Roos to feature in at least four matches in the island state.

The news comes just weeks after Hawthorn confirmed their partnership with Tasmania for 2023, signing a one-year contract that will see them continue to call Launceston home.

The Hawks will also play four home matches in Tasmania, all of which coming at UTAS Stadium.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Nick Larkey of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 16 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the St Kilda at Blundstone Arena ground on July 07, 2019 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The extended partnerships of both North Melbourne and Hawthorn come as the AFL near an announcement on the expansion of the league to a 19th license, with Tasmania in line to be recognised as the competition's newest club.

State Premier Jeremy Rockliff recently announced the AFL and his government had "reached an in principal agreement on the key commercial terms to bring a Tasmanian team into the AFL" in what is a major step for the state's hopes of securing the 19th license.

An official decision on expanding the AFL could come later this month as talks between the league and Tasmanian government continue.

Published by
Mitch Keating