Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson says he would be interested in a coaching role with a Tasmanian expansion team.
With the Carter report having found the state deserves to host a side in the national competition, the league and club presidents will next year sit down to map out how it can happen.
“It depends where I’m at and what I’m doing at that point in time, but without a doubt (I’d be interested),” Clarkson told SEN’s Jack and Painey on Friday morning.
“Because it is six years away, who knows what we’re going to be doing at that point in time?
“But certainly, from this far out, if I’m unemployed like I am now, I’ll be putting my hand up big time to get involved in such an exciting venture.”
Clarkson pinpointed two Tasmanians and former Hawthorn confidants in Brisbane coach Chris Fagan and Collingwood assistant Brendon Bolton as others who could contribute.
Born in Queenstown, Fagan played 263 games and kicked 430 goals in Tasmanian league football, and has since guided Brisbane to three top four finishes in five seasons.
Having played and coached to acclaim in Tassie, Bolton had two successful stints with the Hawks as an assistant, caretaker and coaching director, and led Carlton for just over three seasons.
“There are some other guys out there, like Bolts and Fages,” Clarkson enthused.
“Both would be great candidates. If it’s a Tassie guy you want to coach the club, then you have two rippers there.
“I can see both those guys in really strong roles for the Tassie side either in coaching or in football administration, setting up the club.”
Clarkson believes it is time to start turning soil on a team in the Apple Isle, and that the bid can gather momentum with the involvement of the state’s footballing greats.
“I think it’s a no-brainer for the AFL competition, and it’s a no-brainer for Tassie to roll their sleeves up and get behind it,” he continued.
“Footy has been such a big part of the fabric of Tasmania for over a century. There are some pretty iconic people from Tasmania who have had input on AFL or VFL footy in the past.
“We want to hear their voices, we want to hear their enthusiasm for a Tassie team. And we want them to contribute to the reason why Tassie should have a team in the national competition.”