Following on the brouhaha in the South of the state involving North Hobart and Hobart battling for the sole inner city TSL licence from 2014, a report in the Southern media yesterday suggested that Devonport would be the next club to come under pressure to change its structure and name.

Devonport football manager Mark Fagan has responded saying that there had been no discussion of a possible name change for his club.

``We are not sure where the reference to Mersey came from because we've never heard that before,'' he told The Examiner.

``In regards to the licence agreement for 2014, the club is totally aware that AFL Tasmania want to discuss with the Devonport Football Club about some changes they would like to see at the club if we were granted that licence.

``There has been a sub-committee formed from the board of directors to meet with AFL Tas representatives which will be happening in the next few weeks to discuss exactly what AFL Tas require of the Devonport Football Club in this new licence.

``There is a lot of speculation but we have not been given any firm written detail or requirements of what they would require us to adopt in the new licence.''

Fagan said speculation had been generated by the North Hobart-Hobart debate but the club was a long way from making any key decisions on possible changes for the next licence agreement.

``The sub-committee will have discussions with AFL Tas about any requirements they would like to talk to us about but then of course down the track our board and members would come into that equation,'' he said.

``We're open to discuss the future of the club with AFL Tas.''

The TSL licence dispute in the South has grown more acrimonious with the apparent refusal of North Hobart and Hobart to merge for the available licence- AFL Tasmania's preferred option.

Both clubs are battling to prepare licence applications before Tuesday's deadline with a new club from the Kingborough area to take the other licence in 2014.

A Southern media story yesterday stated that AFL Tasmania chief executive Scott Wade was demanding power to elect representatives to the successful club's board and stipulating that the club would have a new name, logo and club song- creating furore in Southern football circles.