Sunday will mark the first time the Bombers have played for premiership points in Launceston, only playing in Tasmania once before, against Fitzroy at North Hobart Oval in 1992.

Essendon - led by captain Dyson Heppell (pictured) - sits 12^th on the AFL ladder, while the Hawks languish in 17^th but news of the Bombers' arrival was music to Tasmanian fans' ears.

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Lifelong Bombers supporter and NTFA footballer Laine Cleaver is one of those eager to see his beloved side play in Launceston.

"It don't believe it's ever happened before and I certainly can't see it happening again unless things like COVID continue, so for a Launcestonian to have the mighty Bombers coming to town, it's big news," he said.

"We've always had teams coming to Tasmania that have had smaller followings.

"Obviously the AFL is a money-making business, so to have two big clubs like Hawthorn and Essendon play in a small stadium like UTAS Stadium, it's not really a financially viable thing for the AFL, so I never thought they would come to town."

Coaching Old Launcestonians, who return to the field on Saturday after a competition-wide bye for the long weekend, Cleaver was thankful for the Sunday scheduling of the game and is hopeful of a large crowd for the momentous occasion.

"Often if they have games on a Saturday, they clash with Tasmanian football [which] is frustrating because obviously you're taking out a big chunk of supporters who would go along and support football," he said.

"But having it on Sunday, especially having that afternoon game [at] 3.20pm, a lot of the junior football families whose games are played on a Sunday morning can get along for the afternoon game as well, so it's perfect timing really.