Tasmania premier Peter Gutwein has boldly declared he is confident of the state having its own club in the AFL by 2026.
Gutwein says the state has taken a huge step forward in its bid to become the AFL's 19th team after meeting with league boss Gillon McLachlan on Thursday night.
The league has agreed to his government's request for an independent review into a Tasmanian AFL team to take place immediately.
"By the end of the year, I'd hope that we would have a final decision in terms of our entry into the national league by around 2025 or 2026," Gutwein told reporters on Friday.
The Tasmanian government has halted contract negotiations with North Melbourne and Hawthorn to play games in the apple isle post-2021 until the AFL provides a clear picture of where the state stands.
The Hawks have played games in Launceston since 2001 in a financially lucrative deal for the club, while they have also built a formidable on-field record at the York Park ground.
"I want (AFL) content here in 2022," Gutwein said.
"I don't believe this will be the case, but that review might come back and say that Tasmania should never have a team (and then the state would review the Hawthorn and North deals)
"Once we've got that clarity through whether the business case stands up in the view of the independent consultant, then I think the AFL will have no other option later in the year to agree to Tasmania finally, after decades, having its own team on the national stage.
"(Hawthorn and North) like us, want clarity and the independent review will provide that."
Gutwein said he was happy for AFL club presidents to consider the findings of the report after the 2021 season due to the ongoing challenges of dealing with COVID-19.
"Discussions will continue on the engagement of an appropriate consultant that is independent and suitable to the AFL and the state," he said.
McLachlan has previously said the decision to not provide a timeline was because the league needs a clearer picture about the financial impact of COVID-19.
The AFL has been contacted by AAP for comment.
