AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has refused to be drawn on the future of Tasmania's top competition ahead of a shake-up of footy on the island.
The state's northwest – an area that has produced greats Darrel Baldock and Matthew Richardson – is without a team in the Tasmanian State League (TSL) after Burnie and Devonport pulled out earlier this year.
A steering committee has been tasked with finding a structural fix for Tasmania's footy woes and potentially a path to its own AFL team.
McLachlan spoke with TSL club bosses at a whirlwind meeting on Thursday in Devonport but only said a blueprint was "emerging".
"I know the aspiration of all Tasmanians to have their own team – that is really clear," he said.
"Part of that journey has to be sustainable community clubs and leagues and a talent pathway that is producing the right levels of talent.
"They are the key building blocks.
"What Tassie football fans need to know is that it's time to make some hard decisions."
It's understood there are around seven models on the table, some of which include the creation a Tasmanian NEAFL or VFL team.
The committee will deliver its findings on June 30.
AFL Tasmania CEO Trisha Squires said there were some stumbling blocks to Burnie and Devonport making a TSL return.
"At this stage there isn't an appetite (from the two clubs)," she said.
"There's a lot of barriers in regard to travel and those players aspiring to play in a state league."
But the remaining state league clubs unequivocally want the northwest represented.
"Certainly the view of the seven presidents is that there should be a team on the northwest coast," North Hobart Football Club president Craig Martin said.
"I got a strong sense from Gillon that he believes that the TSL has an important role to play in the footy landscape in Tasmania.
"(But) it's how the TSL fits in with the rest of the pieces of the jigsaw in the state as well."
Tasmania Premier Will Hodgman launched a scathing attack on the AFL hierarchy this week, calling on McLachlan to "step up" and fix a broken state system.
McLachlan said talk of a Tassie footy crisis was wide of the mark.
"Burnie and Devonport are strong football clubs. They made a decision … to play in the northwest league," he said.
"They are financially going stronger than last year. Their numbers are as strong as ever."
The steering committee will meet again in 10 days.
Australian Associated Press
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Margaret River Mail
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