The blatant disregard of the business plan is yet another example of how poorly Tasmania has been treated over the years when it comes to, what used to be, Tasmania's most popular sport.

AFL failing to listen and respond rightfully should not be tolerated. The taskforce producing a case for a team was not a surprise. The group of respected business leaders took 12 months to gather the information needed and kept the AFL in the loop of its progress.

There are three scenarios likely to happen in coming days. Tasmania will get a date for a team, we will be told we will not be getting a team, or the AFL will say its under review.

If it's the latter, the AFL must be prepared for further criticism. They may argue that the coronavirus has delayed movement in this space, but that would be a cop out.

Many organisations, businesses and governments have managed to respond to the pandemic as well as continue to plan for the future. They also had to prioritise what is important for the future growth of their organisation.

So, if COVID-19 becomes an excuse for the AFL it clearly demonstrates there is no interest in Tassie making the league a true national competition.

Meanwhile, during a pandemic, national soccer and basketball leagues demonstrated a confidence in the state through talks of an A-league team and the launch of the JackJumpers. The Premier is right to stand firm. On Friday he expressed confidence in filling the hole that would be left by a departing Hawthorn and North Melbourne.

"I've got no doubt at all we'd fill that. We've got $8 million to spend," Mr Gutwein said on Friday.

The Taskforce's United We Stand campaign released a petition in support of Tasmanian AFL and AFLW teams which was signed by 64,232 people at the time it closed, surpassing a goal of 50,000 signatures.

Now, it's fair to say that the majority of Tasmanians are hoping the government's tough stance will pay off. But how much longer are we going to be kept waiting?

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