The 2014 and 2015 North Launceston TSL premiership coach voiced concerns over the ambiguity of the AFL message towards the state. 

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is set to fly into Hobart on Tuesday to hand down the recommendations from his steering committee.

Speculation is rife the annoucement will include a Tasmanian VFL team from 2021 and an expanded Tassie Mariners under-18 program.

Littlejohn hopes it will mirror his wishlist that includes:

Littlejohn joins a chorus of prominent Tasmanians who remain critical of the AFL.

Ex-Melbourne star Brad Green, from George Town, was outspoken on the demise of North-West TSL clubs.

“Tassie footy is in disarray. AFL needs to do something quickly, STOP treating Tasmanians like second class citizens. 1. Go back to regional football 2. TAS VFL team 3. TAS TAC cup team,” Green tweeted earlier this year.

Since joining the coaching staff of Brisbane Lions under fellow Tasmanian Chris Fagan, Littlejohn has been a strong advocate for the state.

The aspirational 31-year-old has his eyes firmly fixed on the bigger picture.

That includes asking the AFL to list some key performance indicators to meet that could ensure a Tasmanian side within five years.

“I’d love to still see Tassie have an AFL team – I’m a big believer in that,” he said.

“What I would love to see is some guidelines for a team.

“I understand they have  deals with Hawthorn and North Melbourne until 2022.

“But I would love to see something in place that the Tassie public, footy community and government has to meet before the end of 2022 before it would be considered for an AFL team.

“It doesn’t mean they’ll get one [AFL team], but just some things in place to be seriously considered or apply to be an expansion club. To say to the Tassie community the ball is back in your court.”

Littlejohn was handed his first serious coaching start at TSL club North Launceston.

The five seasons in charge had produced two flags from three senior grand finals. 

Guiding the young Lions talent in the NEAFL, Littlejohn has seen the disparity in professionalism expand between the two jobs.

“The next step around that is the State League has got to be well resourced,” he said.

“It’s really got to be up with other state leagues.”

Littlejohn has found that rival clubs in Queensland, New South Wales and ACT are far better resourced than any clubs in Tasmania.

Champion Data statistics monitor his players, something that is not available in the State League.

“Clubs have to pay for that, but it should come a bit back to AFL funding,” he said.

“When you are coaching a side and develop good young Tasmanian footballers to get drafted from the TSL system that sort of thing helps.”

Littlejohn believed the full Mariners under-18 program return is also a “must” and would be a “great outcome”.

But he felt the Tassie Devils’ return in some form would revitalise the state.

“I’d be very confident that a Tassie team would be able to compete quite well at NEAFL level,” he said.

“The only thing it requires is more travel so funding and cost will be more than VFL.”

In lieu of either joining the NEAFL or a VFL return, more representative football should be on the AFL’s list.

Littlejohn said games with the VFL, SANFL and WAFL could be used as a vehicle to retain players in the state.

“I know we have been smashed against them, but what great development it would be for our men to play against those teams three or four times a year,” he said. 

“They may not want to play us, but with AFL support we can make it happen.”