Tickets sold out quickly, and a crowd of 14,834 with a reduced capacity made for an entertaining spectacle both live at the game and on television, with few empty seats.

Fans travelled to Launceston from across the state in an almost exclusively Tasmania-based crowd given border restrictions.

Essendon coach Ben Rutten appreciated the support for the team.

"I love the way our Bombers fans turned up and supported ... and we were pleased they could go home with bragging rights for a week," he said.

The match was just over a month before the AFL was expected to hand down its response to a business case for a Tasmanian team.

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Economist Saul Eslake said it would be impossible for the AFL to ignore the response from Tasmanians to hosting a blockbuster match, after years of enduring lower-profile clubs visiting the state.

"This is the most tangible example we could show. You've had Tony Cochrane from the Gold Coast Suns whispering that low turnouts in Tassie prove we shouldn't have a side," he said. "But what this proves is that Tasmanians are sick of being treated contemptuously by the AFL, and subsidising the AFL by having to turn up to games with little interest.

"What this is saying is that they should move more of these games here."

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said it was a great day for the city.

"We're really appreciative of everyone that has helped make this happen at relatively short notice," he said.

"Events like today don't just happen; our amazing team here at the stadium has put in a monumental effort, the state government and health authorities have worked alongside us at the council, our partner contractors and businesses have stepped up to the plate -- it has been a real community effort."