Barham said if the Tasmania Devils were refused a licence because the state could not win public support for a stadium with a roof, the AFL would be perceived nationally as corporate bullies.
Barham told the game’s bosses they had an image problem in Tasmania, and that their brand was poor in the island state. He said the commission should consider putting the prospect of a stadium roof on hold for three to five years at the proposed controversial Macquarie Point development.
He also reminded the competition bosses that the AFL was Australia’s national game and that the code should remain the priority.
While no other presidents or commissioners spoke strongly in opposition to Barham, it remains unclear how many other clubs would be prepared to give ground on a roof. This would potentially pave the way in a cost sense for extra seating at the stadium, which is slated for a capacity of 23,000.