The battle for Tasmania’s female footy market has expanded with Brisbane taking on Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
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The Lions are believed to be in negotiations with the Tasmanian Government to sell one of next season’s home AFLW games to Launceston.
Fox Sports reported that the club could make $100,000 from the deal.
The development follows both Tasmania’s host AFL clubs attempting to mark their territory for the fledgling women’s competition.
The Kangaroos are bidding for an AFLW licence in partnership with AFL Tasmania and seeking to play games in Hobart, Launceston and Melbourne with a squad 50 per cent Tasmanian.
In a lengthy statement announcing the submission application on Friday, North executive officer Carl Dilena said: “We have worked very closely with AFL Tasmania on our submission and our proposed model has a strong focus on Tasmania.
“Tasmania has understandably been crying out for greater representation on the national stage and our proposal seeks to deliver this.”
Hawthorn also lodged an application on Friday to enter the AFLW competition in 2019.
Its submission outlined the club’s “vast and engaged audience” across eastern Victoria, Tasmania and Katherine and sought to play games at UTas Stadium, Ikon Park and regional Victoria.
The Tasmanian Government confirmed discussions with clubs but hosed down speculation that anything had been confirmed.
A spokesman said: “The Premier has made clear that the Government's preference is for a standalone AFLW team, but of course we have also had discussions with a number of AFL clubs about AFLW games.
“Suggestions that any sort of deal has been done, is false.”
Brisbane played three games at home and four on the road in the inaugural AFLW season and was banned from using the Gabba for the grand final loss to Adelaide.
Between two and four clubs are set to join the AFLW in 2019.