The Saints played home games in Launceston between 2003 and 2006, including the famous 'siren-gate' clash with Fremantle in the final year of their stay.

SEN reports of a Saints return in 2021 were brushed aside by Mr Gutwein on Thursday as the state government awaits a response to last week's letter to AFL House, which threatened to drop deals with Hawthorn and North Melbourne should the state not receive a timeline for getting its own licence.

MORE FOOTBALL: Another Tasmanian joins Richmond

"I'm not going to name up any individual club, but there have been clubs that have made approaches - there's strong interest in playing in Tasmania," Mr Gutwein said.

"But my focus very clearly is on ensuring we get a timeline out of the AFL in terms of our own licence and if the AFL is not prepared to provide us with that licence, they have [to have] the courage to tell us we're not going to get a team.

"I'll certainly be very disappointed if we haven't received something back from the AFL by the end of the week."

Since ending its deal with Tasmania in 2006, St Kilda has returned to Launceston four times for two wins.