Each of the AFL's 18 club presidents are expected to be briefed on Tasmania's competition bid today after Macquarie Point in Hobart was green-lit as the state's preferred stadium site.
Located on the banks of the Derwent River, the proposed plot will soon play host to a 23,000-seat venue, should the Apple Isle's efforts to secure the league's 19th licence prove successful.
According to reports from Jon Ralph of The Herald Sun, a study commissioned by the Tasmanian State Goverment and conducted by PricewaterhouseCooper has claimed said stadium would generate $85 million in annual income and provide work for 950 citizens.
The latest addition to the competition is also tipped to host as many as 44 events each year, at least eight of which will be AFL fixtures.
Though those at AFL House and the politicians on Salamanca Place have recently been engaged in a stand-off regarding the footing of the bill for the structure, Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed on Saturday that his Liberal Government would be pouring in $375 million of funding for the venture.
While opposition has been raised regarding the pricetag and the potential neglect of housing and health concerns, Mr. Rockliff expressed that the windfalls made from the yet-to-be-named stadium will, in fact, generate finances for such causes.
"The government believes that activating Hobart's waterfront precinct would not just help diversify our economy, it would also transform the city into a cultural, entertainment and sporting capital to rival any on the mainland, and indeed the world," Mr. Rockliff expressed.
"After conducting a feasibility (study) into the benefits of such a precinct and exploring various site options, it has become clear Macquarie Point is the best location for this development.
"History stands to be made this month if Tasmania achieves our dream of having our very own team in the AFL."
SEE ALSO: Is it time for a Tasmanian AFL team?
Having expressed previous concerns regarding planning and payment for the expansion franchise, a quartet of AFL presidents in Jeff Kennett (Hawthorn), Andrew Pridham (Sydney), Tony Cochrane (Gold Coast) and Jeff Browne (Collingwood) will soon be provided with the requisite intel ahead of the historic vote.
Speaking with Zero Hanger in August, Browne stated that while public sentiment towards Tasmania's bid was gaining momentum by the minute, the specifics were far from black and white in his eyes.
“No details have been sent to the clubs,” Browne said.
“It is impossible to form any view ahead of knowing exactly what the proposal is.”
READ MORE: Tassie bid not black and white, says Browne
The former director of the Nine Network also expressed that without seeing success from past expansion ventures, should the league be forced to split the stadium bill with the Rockliff government, unforeseen fault lines could soon open.
“I doubt that the competition can afford to develop beyond GWS, Gold Coast and the AFLW at the moment, as they were all big investments in expansion,” Browne added.
“If the AFL has to pour money into a stadium in Tasmania, or to supplement any losses, my concern is that the AFLW will feel most of the pain.”
Since Browne spoke with this publication, the AFL has gone on to sign a fresh broadcasting deal with Foxtel and the Seven Network worth $4.5 billion across a 7-year stretch commencing in 2025.
Macquarie Point is located a 13-minute walk from the picturesque Salamanca Markets, found in the heart of Hobart's CBD.
