Tasmania's bid to become the AFL's 19th club has gone into overdrive with the state government committing to building a new state-of-the-art stadium in Hobart's CBD.
Premier Peter Gutwein says a new 27,000-seat arena at Regatta Point could be ready to open ahead of the 2027 AFL season.
But the proposed $750 million project will likely only go ahead if the 18 AFL clubs decide to accept a Tasmanian team into the competition.
Presidents of all AFL clubs will meet later this month to make a call on the merits of a club in the apple isle in what could be a defining moment in the history of Australian Rules football.
"A southern stadium supports the aspirations for Tasmania securing its own AFL team which would be based in Hobart and will also be able to host rectangular sporting codes that will support ongoing discussions about an A-League football team," Gutwein told the Tasmanian parliament on Tuesday.
"The stadium will put Tasmania on the national and international stage for both sporting and entertainment events on a scale that hasn't been possible in the past.
"The stadium will include a retractable roof for all weather playing and performances, making it one of only two such AFL venues in the country.
"Blundstone Arena would remain the home of Cricket with all forms, including Tests being played there with the option for the larger stadium to be used when capacity becomes an issue."
"... there would be approximately a two-year timeframe for planning, approvals and contracting and a further three years for construction, meaning that the new stadium could be ready for the 2027 season."
A modern facility in the middle of Hobart would dispel some of the fears AFL heavyweights had over the viability of a club in Tasmania.
Hawthorn have played AFL games at Launceston's York Park for more than 20 years, while North Melbourne have hosted matches at Blundstone Arena for a decade.
The state has recently made a huge push to increase its participation in domestic sporting competitions, with the Tasmanian JackJumpers enjoying a solid debut season in the NBL.
"We remain focused on securing our AFL and AFLW licence later this year, and it is very pleasing that we have Alastair Clarkson assisting us with our bid," Gutwein said.
"Alastair is working through the matters raised in the (Colin) Carter report ahead of a final position being put to the AFL Commission and club presidents.
"We will continue working closely with the AFL ahead of the decision on our own AFL team, including important strategies to grow the base of community football as well.
"This has been an incredible 30-year pursuit for our own AFL license, and I have never been more confident that Tasmania will ultimately be successful."
