Mixed responses to Tasmania's AFL pitch

From Stewart McSweyn's proud performance in the 1500 metre final, Kookaburras coach Colin Batch's high praise for Tasmanian talisman Eddie Ockenden, or the looming decision over how to best honour dual gold medallist Ariarne Titmus.

Tokyo has left Tasmania with memories to last a lifetime. Now, we eagerly await the official start of the Paralympics, where our state will once again be well represented.

But on Friday it was the long-awaited Colin Carter report on the potential AFL expansion into Tasmania that dominated the headlines.

It was easy to read between the lines of the report's findings, with it becoming almost certain that the only way our state will get its own team is if a Victorian club partially or fully relocates here.

Responding to the findings, Premier Peter Gutwein boldly said he was willing to risk having no AFL games played in Tasmania next year, as he seeks commitment to a pathway for a state-based team.

Mr Gutwein even went so far to say that should the AFL not play ball, the government would direct the money to support Hawthorn and North Melbourne towards other sport and events in the state to ensure economic benefits were not lost.

Ahead of the Saturday's match between Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs at UTAS stadium, The Examiner took to the streets to gauge how Northern footy fans feel about the latest developments.

And there were some mixed responses.

Zac Piesse shared the sentiment that Tasmania's best pathway to the AFL would be via a relocated team, while Bradley Dunn believed St Kilda or North Melbourne would be potential candidates to make the move across the Bass Strait.

Others like Hawthorn supporter Emily Davidson believe that Hawthorn's presence in Tasmania placated the need for a Tasmanian side, while Darren McConnon believed that Tasmania deserved its own team.

Whatever your view, it might feel like we aren't getting any closer to a definitive answer - or some action - in this space.

At least in the meantime we have been able to enjoy some great AFL, right in our own backyard.

Every match at UTAS stadium has been touted as an opportunity to send a "clear message" that Tasmanians love their footy and Saturday was indeed a great day for it.

Take care out there,

- The Editor