The Kangaroos play three matches a year at Bellerive Oval in a $1.5 million a season deal that is funded by the Hobart City Council and TT-Line.

Talks will begin later this year to extend the deal beyond 2016, but Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey has publicly contemplated the council’s future commitment.

Mr Hodgman said the state would consider stepping in if either of the parties were not prepared to fund the matches into the future.

‘‘If it is the case that the Hobart City Council decides not to continue their support then needless to say we’ll need to look at other options,’’ he said.

‘‘There may be more support from the corporate sector.

‘‘As a government, we’re supportive of AFL football in this state and we’ll have a conversation with North Melbourne if and when that happens with the Hobart council.’’

Mr Hodgman said there was yet to be any call for the state government to fund the deal.

He said the government was happy for North Melbourne to keep playing three games a year in Hobart.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green said TT-Line may also not be able to fund the deal.

“Labor facilitated the agreement between TT-Line and North Melbourne in recognition that the state government could not afford to fund two AFL teams while also providing essential services,’’ he said

“The current government has put TT-Line under enormous financial pressure by directing it to spend cash supplies on refurbishments.

“The business might simply not be in a position to provide the broader community benefits that it could under Labor.”

The government last week signed a new, $19 million deal to keep Hawthorn playing in Launceston until at least 2021.