AFL hubs in Tasmania not out of the question: Gutwein

As Mr Gutwein announced the Tasmanian border to Victoria would close from 2pm today, he was quizzed as to whether AFL hubs were a distinct possibility in Tasmania.

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"I certainly wouldn't rule it out," Mr Gutwein responded.

Mr Gutwein said as early as Wednesday night, as speculation grew about an impending Victoria lockdown, Mr McLachlan had been in touch with him.

"Gil McLachlan reached out to me yesterday. We touched base last night via text [and] I've spoken with him this morning," he said.

Throughout last year, when AFL hubs became a necessity, Mr Gutwein said AFL players and officials would not be given any preferential treatment in terms of crossing into the state. He reiterated the point amid the news of the May 27 lockdown.

"I've been clear right through this - we will not make any special arrangements or circumstances. [AFL players and officials] would be treated the same as everybody else," he said.

Though the doors remained open to the possibility of a hub if teams entered the Tasmania from anywhere outside of Victoria.

"If they had teams that were outside of Victoria at the moment, that wanted to be domiciled here [and] that could enter the state - baring in mind its only Victoria that the borders are closed to - then obviously we'd have those discussions," Mr Gutwein said.

Essendon and Carlton left Victoria on Wednesday while Hawthorn was due to depart on Thursday morning.

He said the potential for the Hawthorn and Gold Coast Suns game, scheduled to be played in the Northern Territory on Saturday evening, had not been part of his discussion with Mr McLachlan this morning.

However, Mr Gutwein said a complicating factor about games being held in Tasmania this weekend was broadcasting.

"In terms of no games being here this weekend it was a matter of broadcasting. That was the conversation I had with Gil," he said.

"In terms of us making an offer for teams that could come into Tasmania that weren't needing to quarantine, we certainly said that we would look to facilitate that but again there were other matters that needed to be taken into account and that wasn't possible."

Mr Gutwein said as the situation evolved in Victoria more "clarity" would be provided about the ongoing prospects for a Tasmanian AFL hub.

Stadium custodians in Hobart and Launceston have welcomed the possibility of hosting more AFL games if needed.

"The City of Launceston would be delighted to welcome an opportunity to host more AFL content at UTAS Stadium," Launceston Council mayor Albert van Zetten said.

"Matches in Launceston bring increased activity across a whole range of sectors, and UTAS Stadium is commonly regarded as one of the best playing facilities in the competition."

Cricket Tasmania government relations and communications manager, Tim Lovibond said while they had not been contacted about hosting additional matches "should the need arise we would welcome the conversation".

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