AFL CEO Andrew Dillon ventured down to Tasmania during the week to talk all things football, as well as ensuring the new Macquarie Point Stadium is progressing in the right direction.
Dillon met with Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his team to provide an update on the development of the soon-to-be AFL's 19th team, which has already reached 195,000 foundation members.
According to NewsCorp, the league's boss said that the Devils' VFL team would be fast-tracked to land in 2026 (previously thought to be 2027) as well as the AFLW team all but certain to join in the same year.
“It was a good catch-up with the Premier — it's a regular meeting that we've been having but we've been doing it online so it was great to be down here to do it in person,” Dillon said.
“We gave them a bit of an update on AFL Tasmania, on how our participation is going, how the Devils Boys and Girls teams are right next the top of the Talent League [under-18s], and the successful representative games over the weekend as well.”
However, a point of contention throughout the Tasmania Devils process has been the stadium and how that looks over the coming years.
The venue received backing from Labor in May despite initially being against the proposition.
“We are really excited about the progress that has been made on the stadium,” Dillon said.
“There's a lot of work to do but we are really excited — it's going to be a great addition for Tasmania.
“The timelines are really critical for us and I haven't heard anything that would change us from the timelines that we have agreed with the government.
“Everything is on time and we are really looking forward to the team, kicking off in 2028."
The AFL and the Tasmania Government are reportedly looking at two sites for the stadium: Rosny Golf Course and the Twin Ovals at Kingston.
Dillon admitted that Rosny is the "preferred site" but that the required "due diligence" on both spots is well and truly underway.