An opportunity to host early-round AFL fixtures should Tasmania be first to eradicate coronavirus before mainland states has all but been dismissed by its influential figures.
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It's paved the way for Northern Territory to offer to restart the season after the AFL suspension is lifted on May 31.
The benefit of the island state is its isolation from higher numbers of COVID-19 cases elsewhere.
State government, the AFL and partnering clubs have yet to resolve whether Tasmania's eight contracted games in Launceston and Hobart will play out in a shorter season or instead $8 million be returned to taxpayers.
Premier Peter Gutwein said a return of football back to Tasmania was not a priority.
"Our aim is to protect Tasmanians from the spread of the virus through our strong border measures and social distancing rules," he said.
"I am not going to speculate on what may be possible in the future until we have a clearer picture of the impact of the spread of the virus in Tasmania and other states."
Leading economist Saul Eslake remains skeptical of the state hosting games so soon.
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"I think the government would take the view if we are the first state to be coronavirus free, they'd like to keep it that way," he said.
The AFL could schedule its next round in the state to suffice Tassie's 2020 deals, but players may be forced to quarantine first.
All nine games could be held at UTAS Stadium, Bellerive Oval, Twin Ovals and West Park.
Eslake believed financial benefits would not outweigh shifting games in a condensed weekend and asking Tasmanians to fork out.
"I suspect after restrictions are lifted there will be a proportion of the population that will be wary of large gatherings," he said.
"It will take a while and there may be some financial benefit from having it - I don't doubt that - but I suspect it will be smaller than otherwise expected."
AFL Tasmania declined the offer to throw its support behind the statewide proposal.
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