The AFL and the state government continue to be at odds over what the timeline for a potential Tasmanian side should look like following the Carter Report.
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A war of words has continued between Premier Peter Gutwein and AFL chairman Richard Goyder after the AFL did not commit to a timeline for an AFL side following the report's release.
Speaking to ABC Radio, Mr Goyder refuted Gutwein's claim the long-awaited report, which lacked an implementation timeline, was the AFL "kicking the can down the road".
"If we wanted to kick it down the road we would have just said, 'We're not doing anything now while we're in a global pandemic'," he said.
Mr Gutwein labelled the comments by the chairman as "very disappointing".
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The Premier said the AFL and the state government had agreed the AFL commission would put the question of a Tasmanian license to the presidents at the end of this year or by early next year.
The business case for the Tasmanian AFL side estimated the franchise would need five to six years "to ensure that all necessary preconditions could be met."
Mr Goyder had concerns with the competitiveness of a potential Tasmanian side if the move was rushed and the development of home-grown players.
He criticised the state's track record of developing AFL players in recent years.
"It hasn't produced the sort of talent we would have liked in recent years and we are concerned about that, we've invested in the past and clearly there is more to do," he told ABC Radio.
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Mr Gutwein said the AFL was partly responsible for the situation given they had "frustrated" the state in recent years.
"The AFL have frustrated our efforts for our own team for 30 years, our local game has not benefited from our current arrangements and as a result, our once proud football state is in need of a new direction," he said.
Mr Goyder said the AFL was wary of establishing a Tasmanian team which would be unsuccessful.
"Ultimately, we want Tasmania to be represented in the AFL but we don't want for a long period of time for them to be the weakest team," he said.
"We want to make sure this is a team that is competitive in every respect, so there is work to be done."
The Carter Report into the feasibility of a Tasmanian AFL side provided three options to the AFL including a new 19th side, the relocation of a Victorian side and or a joint venture between a Victorian side and Tasmania.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has ruled out moving the Gold Coast Suns franchise.
The Suns are yet to play finals since their formation 12 years ago and have collected two wooden spoons.
Mr Gutwein previously expressed his objection to the joint venture option and would prefer a standalone team.
The state's contracts with Hawthorn and North Melbourne expire at the end of the season.
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Adam Daunt
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
