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AAP
AAP
Sport
Ethan James

New stadium not part of formal Tas AFL bid

Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff says a new stadium won't be part of the formal bid for an AFL team. (Rob Blakers/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Tasmania's formal bid for inclusion in the AFL won't include a new stadium but the infrastructure remains an "important part" of the state's quest for a team.

The 18 AFL club presidents will this month vote on whether the state is granted the league's 19th licence.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has previously indicated the success of the bid is contingent on the development of a new stadium.

But Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff has revealed it won't form part of the formal proposal to be put before club presidents.

"The stadium is not part of our bid. But of course the stadium is there to support AFL content in the future," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"A stadium is an important part of an AFL team, we're committed to that. That's why we've got the feasibility study."

The state government is undertaking a $1.25 million feasibility study into a new stadium, something it estimates could cost around $750 million.

The AFL reportedly wants the Tasmanian government to foot the bulk of the bill but Rockliff says the state government won't pay more than half.

Former Geelong president Colin Carter, who authored an independent report into the viability of a Tasmanian side, believes the bid should not be contingent on a new stadium.

"I don't think that (should be) the initial priority," he told Sports Day Radio in July.

"Tasmanian grounds are regarded as perfectly adequate for playing AFL football at the moment."

Tasmania's opposition political parties have questioned the merits of spending big on a new stadium amid the state's housing and health crises.

Rockliff talked up the state government's funding offer of $10 million per year over a decade, plus $50 million for start-up costs.

"No other team has put forward such a bid. The AFL will not be a truly national competition without Tasmania," he said.

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