Tasmania moves forward with state AFL team plans

Premier Peter Gutwein and AFL Taskforce chairman Brett Godfrey met for the first time with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan to discuss the release of the findings in favour of a Tasmanian team.

Gutwein released a media statement immediately after the visit on Thursday, calling the exchange a "constructive and positive meeting".

"We explained the business case key findings, which demonstrate the significant benefits a Tasmanian team would deliver our state and also the national competition," Gutwein said.

"I pointed out very clearly that the state believes the time is right for the AFL to come on board and I am pleased that the AFL has agreed to engage with the taskforce to seek further clarity on some issues."

The AFL's next plan was to analyse the document first before the parties intend to meet again next week.

Godfrey told The Examiner that the taskforce was keen to come up with solutions for the AFL over a new team, which has failed with every past bid the state has offered.

"We made it clear we have done as much as we can," Godfrey said. "It was probably deepest dive ever to start a football club - I don't think any other club has gone to this level of detail. I think that was acknowledged."

Godfrey believed the AFL has made progress on agreed principles behind the bid.

That now has the taskforce feeling confident the AFL will move fast on the findings.

"They are looking at the document to produce their own thinking on it," Godfrey said, "because it would be so easy if they were dismissive of it and not wasting their time by continuing to engage."

Godfrey refused to go into detail of the talks, but also got a sense the AFL was serious about a proposed 2025 deadline for a Tasmanian team.

It echoed past sentiments from taskforce member and St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt.

"I don't doubt for a second the AFL would like to see a Tasmanian team in the competition, but I do acknowledge the status quo is a lot easier than pursuance of another team," Godfrey said.

"I am not saying that they are all in agreement that we have discredited all those myths, but what I am saying is that they have all been addressed and it's a positive next step in the process."

The taskforce is hoping to press its case further next by meeting all club presidents.

Godfrey wants to canvass support first before the AFL is set to make a final decision so to bolster their chances of a provisional licence.

"I don't think we're going to have an answer to it like tomorrow - I just don't expect that at all," Godfrey said.

"There is also 18 club presidents that will have a very strong say in what happens."