Decision on Tasmanian AFL expansion team to be made in 2022

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has advised that after discussions with the AFL and the League’s Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan over the past week, an agreement has been reached on the timeframe for a decision on a Tasmanian AFL licence - with the viability of the proposed expansion team to be made early in the 2022 season.

In a joint announcement, McLachlan and Premier Gutwein said a decision on a Tasmanian AFL licence would be made at the "earliest opportunity" during the 2022 season, advising “the AFL and the state government will work through the matters raised in the Carter report ahead of a final position being put to club presidents for a decision on a Tasmanian AFL team.”

The decision allows the Tasmanian Government to continue negotiations with Hawthorn and North Melbourne to play home games in Launceston and Hobart in 2022.

For Tasmania to get a team, the AFL Commission must agree on an expansion bid, with 12 out of the existing 18 AFL clubs also required to sign off on the plan.

McLachlan went on to say “we need to finalise the industry funding model with the 18 clubs given the continuing impact of the COVID pandemic.

"Once that work is done and we have worked through the steps identified by the Carter review, the AFL Commission will put a position to the clubs for a decision on a licence for a team to represent Tasmania.”

As a result of Coronavirus lockdowns, Launceston will host two AFL elimination finals this weekend for the first time in the history of the competition.