Outgoing Greater Western Sydney CEO David Matthews has not minced his words when regarding how he thinks expansion club Tasmania will fare when it enters the AFL in 2028.
The Devils have started their hunt for player signings in 2026, with Giants star Tom Green a marquee target for Tasmania.
The AFL's 19th club has an extra five million dollar signing bonus outside of the salary cap, which it can use at its discretion to attract opposition players.
Speaking on Saturday's 3AW broadcast, Matthews was brutal in his assessment of how he thinks Tasmania will go at retaining talent.
"I think Tasmania looms large just because of the sheer size of the offers that you hear they are going to make," Matthews said on 3AW.
"And to be honest, my view is they need to make those. I don't think it's a super attractive proposition to go and play at Tasmania. My own view is that it is a nice place to visit, but I don't think it's an unbelievable place to have a career and live.
"I think some of the hold ups in relation to the infrastructure, I know (Tasmania CEO) Brendon Gale probably wouldn't like me saying this, but we are in a competition. By the time they get a stadium in place, it is probably three years into their tenure, and by that stage, a player like Tom Green is 31 or 32.
"The money is one thing but the opportunity, again, if you listen closely to what Tom Green talked about, he wants to be a premiership player, and I also think at some point you will see him captain the Giants."
Matthews is leaving his CEO role at GWS at the end of the season and will be replaced by James Avery.
