In the state in his role as AFL Auskick ambassador, the popular Brownlow medallist nicknamed "Dipper" said he believed Tassie and the Hawks deserved each other.

"I think it's been fantastic for both Hawthorn and Tasmania," he said of the existing sponsorship deal, which will be up for renegotiation when it expires at the end of this season.

"When Hawthorn won a cup a couple of years ago the first thing they did was thank the Tasmanian people down here.

"Hopefully one day Tasmania will have a side in the AFL but at the moment Hawthorn's down here and doing a great job so come on stick with us!

"Other clubs have had an opportunity down here but Hawthorn have made a huge commitment. Other clubs have walked away."

Travelling around Australia four days a week to promote Auskick, the five-time premiership winner coaches 185,000 girls and boys aged 5-12.

At Launceston's Windsor Park home yesterday, he said: "You can see some of the kids have got some really good talent already and you expect that here in Tasmania because football is a heartbeat down here.

"I can see Tasmania's own team down the line but it takes a lot of effort, lot of money and background. The best thing for Tasmania right now is that it has gone back to state football and I think the AFL are keeping a close eye on how that goes. There's room for everybody."