Over 125,000 AFL fans have signed up to be members of the Tasmanian Devils AFL side after the launch, a groundswell of support that has surprised even the most fervent locals.
The numbers have grown in part because of mainland support, with many AFL fans joining in and committing their $10 or $15 to the cause in exchange for some stickers.
Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson will not be amongst them, however.
The sheer number of members will inject $2 million directly into the startup of the team and Johnson wonders why opposition supporters are jumping on board when the Devils will quickly become a very real threat to their own teams – as we saw with GWS and Gold Coast.
“I won’t be getting on board whatsoever. It’s not mean, they have now released their jumper, they’re official, they’re now opposition,” Johnson told AFL Nation.
“There is no way known that I am joining the Tasmanian team as a member.
“I cannot believe that people are doing it. How are you going to be when they come and start trying to pinch your team’s players in a couple of years and all of a sudden they play you in Round 1 and beat you?
“Are you going to be happy then that you were a member?
“This is serious now – and I’m not joking – this is serious because they are now an official competitor and a threat to my beloved Bulldogs and I will not buy a membership.”
The take surprised Gerard Whateley, who said: “I never had you as the Grinch, Johnno!”
Johnson explained that he is still incredibly happy for Tasmanians that their dream of receiving a team has been realised.
“I am rapt that they are coming into the competition. It’s going to be awesome. Let’s put that in perspective. Let’s hope they get this right, but the fact of the matter is that they’re now a competitor to my team and there’s no way known that I’m joining them, I’m sorry, that’s just the way that I feel in this footy world!” he added.
