McLachlan said a new stadium could transform the state,citing the impact that the Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium in Perth had had on their states’ respective capital cities.
“This team needs and will have a new stadium if[they] want a licence,” McLachlan told reporters in Hobart on Thursday.
As several club presidents cast doubt on the bid,the AFL and the Tasmanian taskforce have two months to deliver a proposal that receives the support of the AFL Commission and club presidents.
Although under the AFL constitution club presidents can only veto a decision by the commission to admit a new team if a two-thirds majority vote against the recommendation,McLachlan has made it clear he wants 18 clubs to back the bid with their support contingent on the proposal.
Many clubs are holding their position until they see the details,with further discussion expected once that is made available to clubs before the August decision.
“It will be the deal. If the deal is right for football they will support it. If it is not,they won’t,” McLachlan said.