Hawthorn has won three premierships since the $3 million-a-year sponsorship deal was struck and has become one the great teams of the modern game.

The current deal expires at the end of 2016 and Hawthorn has already had preliminary talks about re-signing with the state government and the AFL.

Premier Will Hodgman yesterday expressed his desire to see the deal continue too.

Whether the deal will jackpot given the success of the Hawks remains to be seen.

Tasmania pays $15 million for a five-year deal that guarantees four rostered games at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

On top of that, taxpayers have handed over more than $1 million in extra payments – three premierships netting $300,000 each and a grand final loss attracting a $150,000 bonus.

The $15 million figure and bonuses attract plenty of robust debate about its worth, particularly in a climate of budget cuts and threatened job losses. 

One thing that is irrefutable about the deal is how it benefits and promotes Tasmania, particularly Launceston.

Yesterday’s premiership celebrations had the nation’s media focused on a positive Tasmanian story rather than the tired, old mendicant state jibe.

And the number of fans who turned out at the Silverdome to see their heroes really emphasised how strongly Tasmania now identified with Hawthorn.

The club will be pushing towards 10,000 Tassie members.

Taking their team away would be a disastrous move.

The government should not risk derailing what has been such a mutually beneficial deal by shopping around for a journeyman club like North Melbourne.

Having the Roos split several games a season between Hobart and Launceston, as has been suggested, is the wrong move.

Despite the Kangaroos being an up and coming side, it cannot compete with that star power and  performance of Hawthorn.