But in the end, the process that everyone with one of those views needs to address and then answer, is to determine a desired end point in each key area of the sport - and equally importantly, set out the reasons why.

In the past, differences of opinion about the future direction of any sport in Tasmania have often centred on regional or parochial issues. But this time around it’s quite different.

In many cases there are equally strong and passionate views on each side of the argument on each of the most debated topics.

Most colourful, and the one about which the most Tasmanians have a view, irrespective of the extent of their connection with the sport, is the discussion about whether the state should have its own team in the top national competition.

It’s a massive call of course. For a start there’s a huge investment of cash both to start up and on an ongoing basis.

And there’s convincing generations of Tasmanians who have supported other teams for generations to embrace a new entity competing against their own.

Plus getting them to do so when the number of Tasmanian-born or -raised players in the team might be minimal or, at times, even zero.

And that’s without even going anywhere near the no doubt vexed question of where the games would be played or the not-insignificant issue of finding suitable jobs for the partners of 100 players and team staff.

But much more immediately there’s the future of statewide competition.

Or indeed whether we even want or need one – for if letters to the editor or phone calls to talk back are any indication, there is a view from some that we don’t.

But for perhaps the majority who think that we do, there is the much broader question of what it should look like – a performance pathway league as it essentially is now or a much more commercially-based club competition, with the annual premiership the principal target.

They are fundamentally different but it’s not clear that is well understood.

Invariably the question of Tasmania’s capacity to draft players to the top level is entwined with this debate.

Much has changed since this state annually drafted multiple players into AFL ranks.

Although the number of AFL clubs has increased and player lists along with them, the number of new players drafted each year is decreasing. More players are being retained on lists while more of those who are rookie listed and the like are being recycled.

The minimum draft age has also increased and there are plenty of implications that go with that.

Potential draftees now have to impress in feeder competitions for an additional year or two before they face their destiny each November. So the nature and quality of those competitions become critical.

These days with fewer players getting the opportunity, the things that separate them become smaller and smaller – that extra capacity to run for a bit longer or kick more accurately become crucial.

How we best provide those vital marginal opportunities to as many young Tasmanians as possible is perhaps the biggest question of all those currently confronting the sport.

There are already at least half a dozen different opinions – but which might be right and the best option in 2018 might be superseded within a couple of years.

Certainly passionate Tasmanians like Brendon Bolton and Nick Riewoldt are well-placed to advise on best possible pathways for right now.

But then there’s the perennial problem of devising under age competition structures that provide best for both participation and the much smaller group with the potential to embark on the performance pathway.

Perhaps there we have the most diverse range of opinions of all.