EXCLUSIVE: James Hird 'certain' AFL deliberately planted 'deplorable' Tasmania spectacle
As the AFL pushes to get their billion-dollar stadium built in Tasmania, Essendon great James Hird has grown suspicious of the league's decision to host a Friday night game in the middle of winter in Launceston.
Round 14's clash between Hawthorn and Adelaide was a tough watch, with neither team cracking 50 points in freezing and greasy conditions.
And the reaction to the game, given the looming spectre of the new stadium, has been predictable.
READ MORE: McKeown whacks critics, drops key hint after DQ saga
READ MORE: 'Can get pretty dark': Veil lifted on Piastri's teammate duel
READ MORE: Aussie great's stunning capitulation in brutal US Open carnage
Dylan Moore of the Hawks spoils it from Izak Rankine. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Footy legend Leigh Matthews was among those criticising the conditions, labelling the game a "deplorable spectacle", adding that a roofed stadium was the "elephant in the room" all night.
The Brisbane premiership coach emphasised that the heavy dew on the grass caused the awful conditions, something that will be commonplace if winter night games are consistently played in Tasmania.
Speaking candidly, Hird said he was "certain" the AFL deliberately scheduled a marquee winter night game in Tassie in an attempt to aid their firm stance that the Devils expansion side needs a bespoke indoor stadium.
The Macquarie Point stadium has become a lightning rod in Tasmanian state politics, with the Apple Isle heading for a snap election as uncertainty grows surrounding the stadium and whether or not it will be built. A decision not to build it would end the Devils dream before it begins.
When asked by Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel if he thought the AFL had a secondary motive with the scheduling of the Hawthorn v Adelaide game, Hird said: "Absolutely, the AFL did that for a purpose."
"We've been in the system for a long time ... I've never known them to do something for no reason," Hird told Nine's Eddie and Jimmy podcast.
"I am certain that (the scheduling) was for a reason to show everyone that they need a roof."
Even the Prime Minister has weighed in on the issue, urging Tasmania to "get on with" building the stadium.
Hird, however, doesn't believe the Devils need a roofed stadium, saying he personally wasn't a fan of playing at Marvel Stadium with the roof closed.
"It was still a game of football and we've played in worse conditions than that, colder conditions than that, the Crows probably would have liked a roof given how they kicked for goal," Hird said.
"I didn't like playing under the roof, personally. I much preferred playing at Marvel Stadium with the roof open, it just had a much better atmosphere.
"I like the elements in the game. Whether it's at the MCG on a Friday night in July and you're not sure if it's going to rain, there's dew, but I think it helped the players and coaches be a bit more strategic."
A new render of what the Tassie stadium would look like. Twitter
No movement on the Macquarie Point stadium is expected until after the state election in July.
The opposition Labor government supports the building of the stadium unconditionally, but may need support from crossbenchers who do not in order to form government.
The AFL hoped the stadium would be built and ready for the 2029 season, with the Devils entering in 2028, though that timeline will now likely be reassessed as the delays mount.
There are three more games scheduled to take place in Tasmania this season, though the latest of those is set to start at 4.15pm local time.
