Hawthorn captain James Sicily has copped heat from disgruntled Tasmanians after revealing his disinterest in living in the southern-most state.
Tasmania's new AFL stadium looks set to get the green light with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese preparing to announce federal funding for the Macquarie Point venue in Hobart.
The federal government will reportedly invest $240 million into the 23,000-seat stadium, which is estimated to cost $715 million.
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The pledge strengthens Tasmania's bid to become the league's 19th team, with the AFL previously imposing that the inner-city stadium must be fully funded before the state will be considered for a team license.
However, with the approval of the stadium and the proceeding entry into the competition comes the challenge of luring players south to compile a playing list.
With this in mind, Sicily voiced the issue of players being unwilling to relocate south.
"I think so, particularly as a young guy, because there's not much happening down there, it could be difficult," he told RSN on Wednesday.
"I couldn't imagine myself living there. It would be hard."
Sicily's comments raised eyebrows online with Hawthorn boasting the Tasmania Government as a naming rights sponsor.
As a part of their long-standing partnership, the Hawks are contracted to play four home matches at UTAS Stadium in Launceston this season.
Proud Tasmanians, former AFL player Mitch Robinson and sprinter Jacob Despard expressed their outrage at the comments on Twitter.
"I'm sure sponsors love hearing that, considering Tassie pumps $13.5 million into a club that's currently on struggle street," Robbinson wrote.
"Absolutely ridiculous comment considering how much money the state pumps into the Hawthorn Football Club," Despard echoed.
The Age writer Daniel Brettig argued that while Sicily was foolish to make the remark, his opinion was covertly held by the wider AFL community.
"Sicily getting rightly dragged for this," he wrote.
"That said, he's only mimicking what broadcasters and commentators indicate by their travel decisions and discussions of anywhere that isn't Melbourne or Sydney really."
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