The AFL will continue last-ditch lobbying of the federal government to tip in funds for a stadium to seal the entry of a Tasmanian side into the competition.
The federal government is expected to decide by May's budget whether to help fund the proposed stadium in Hobart.
The new stadium is the cornerstone of Tasmania's bid to be granted an AFL team.
The building cost has been estimated at $715 million with the AFL pledging $360m over 10 years to support a team in the state.
The Tasmanian government has promised $375m towards the required infrastructure and is seeking $240m from the federal Labor government.
McLachlan says the AFL will continue lobbying in the lead-up to the May federal budget.
"The federal government understand how we believe this is an incredible opportunity for Tasmania," McLachlan told reporters on Wednesday.
"It would be a facility that goes well beyond sport.
"It would be a community asset, it would be a precinct asset, it would be about urban renewal and it would be an asset that actually stimulated Tasmania ... and had a benefit beyond football, beyond sport.
"We have had a very good hearing from the federal government. We will continue to prosecute our case."
While launching the AFL's inaugural Gather Round in Adelaide and its surrounds, McLachlan cited the example of how Adelaide Oval had rejuvenated the South Australian capital.
The venue was subject of a $535m redevelopment with the rebuilt stadium opened in 2014.
"Adelaide Oval, which is a sense of pride and an economic driver for South Australia, was opposed by pretty much everyone," McLachlan said.
"So when people talked about opposition in Tasmania, the same way in Perth with the stadium in Burswood that was Optus Stadium, it has opposition until the point that it actually goes ahead.
"And then it has a lot of mothers and fathers because these assets have proven to be things that change cities and change states.
"And I think it will apply in Tasmania ... that is a position we will continue to put."
