The potential demise of the Tasmanian State League Women's competition for 2021 should be sounding alarms at the top levels.

With just four clubs remaining - at this stage - things are not looking good for the TSLW.

And without a solid women's comp at the top level for our state, the game could be at risk.

The lack of a clear pathway for talented young sportswomen from grassroots to the elite AFLW could see them take their talents elsewhere.

It's the same reason that the AFL community has fought to keep the men's elite competition alive, and why so many are campaigning for our own team in the AFL.

As the saying goes, if you can't see it, you can't be it.

It may be because of the rapid growth of the women's game, with interest falling away at the elite level in the past two years, that is part of the issue. Perhaps the base of players isn't there to sustain so many teams.

A lack of funding is also an issue.

But a top-level competition can't be let go without a fight.

It is particularly an issue for players who are aspiring to go further and get to the AFLW and are beyond the age group for the junior elite competition.

Most of the Tasmanians recruited to the AFLW in recent years have been more mature players.

A prime example is former North-West player Brittany Gibson, who wasn't on the AFL radar until a Brisbane recruiter saw her dominate in the 2016 TSLW grand final.

How many others does this apply to? How are recruiters going to judge Tasmanians if there isn't a league that pits the state's best players against each other?

The answer is an inferior product.

Without a chance to play against at top level, the next generation may not get the same chance to show their quality and players, who have been delisted, have little chance of getting another chance short of moving to Victoria to play.

What a shame that would be.