Australian Test captain Tim Paine has thrown his support behind the state government's ultimatum on a Tasmanian AFL team.
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A letter from Premier Peter Gutwein to the AFL has outlined that deals with Hawthorn and North Melbourne will cease should Tasmania not be presented with a timeline for its own team.
"What I've asked for from the AFL is either a timeline for our own licence, or they explain very clearly that they're not going to give us one," he said.
This comes after a year without response to a 267-page Tasmanian AFL taskforce report on the viability of a team by 2025.
"He's [Gutwein] been really vocal and clear on what we want as Tasmanians and he's pushed for that really well," Paine said.
"We've [Tasmania] tried a number of things to work with them [AFL] and, from the outside, it doesn't look like we've got any further down the track."
AFL in Tasmania:
This is certainly not the first time Paine has lent his support to the state's AFL push.
The 36-year-old gloveman donned a traditional 'map' jersey in 2019 during the United We Stand campaign, which received more than 60,000 pledges of support.
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Considered an AFL-level talent as a junior, Paine knew the saga for a team has been a long one.
"It's been forever ... as long as I can remember we've been talking about it and nothing seems to happen," Paine said.
Kids want heroes
- Tim Paine on bringing AFL team to Tasmania
With the state continuing to leak quality talent, Paine said the promise of a team would give hope to many a young footballer eager to stay in Tasmania.
"Whether it's a Test cricketer, AFL footballer or an NBL basketballer - kids want heroes," he said.
"If we can have guys they can see in the skin rather than on telly, I think it makes a huge impact.
"I got to see Ricky Ponting and David Boon and through my uncle [Robert Shaw] I went to AFL clubs and rubbed shoulders with people - for us to have that in Tasmania is going to be really important.
"If people can see or touch it - it can become a reality."
Gutwein said he spoke to AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan over the phone, and would receive a reply in a week's time.