AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has selected her “off-field dream team” for an AFL side in Tasmania in 2026.
A decision on whether Tasmania will be granted a 19th license will be made in August.
The presidents of the existing 18 clubs will vote to decide if the Apple Isle will be awarded an AFL team.
Wilson has identified a host of big names to fill the roles of president, CEO, head of football, list manager and coach.
“I think the president of Tasmania, if the team was launched in 2026, should be Peter Gutwein, the former premier of Tasmania, who is a passionate advocate and a very tough cookie and has now built-up strong relationships with the AFL,” Wilson told Don’t Shoot The Messenger podcast.
“The CEO, I’m thinking Simon Garlick. Simon Garlick is currently the CEO of Fremantle. He was at the Western Bulldogs, was removed by Peter Gordon, who was a very impatient, hands-on president.
“Simon Garlick did a big report into the feasibility of Tasmania for the AFL, he knows the place, he knows the state, he cares about it, and he’s proved himself in his second incarnation as a CEO over in Fremantle.
“By then hopefully Fremantle have won a flag and Simon will be happy to move to Tasmania.
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“If you put in a head of football, it would be either Laura Kane or Chris Fagan. I think he would be a fantastic football boss, but Laura Kane would be equally good.
“List manager: ‘Gubby’ Allan. He oversaw the list build at GWS, didn’t work out in the end, but I don’t think it was all his fault.
“You cannot deny how competitive that team was and the way they did it. He would be the man.
“The coach: Damien Hardwick. Damien Hardwick, I think, is probably the best coach in the AFL at the moment.
“He will have been at Richmond for another four years, and that’s a long time. I think you go for the best coach.
“That is my off-field dream team.”