The fate of a Tasmanian team has widely been expected to be known by the end of August.
Various reports have stated throughout the year the presidents of all 18 clubs will come together in August and vote on whether to award a 19th license for a club from the Apple Isle.
However, SEN’s Gerard Whateley reports that almost halfway through the month, that’s not how the situation sits.
“What I know, there’s no presidents’ meeting in the diary for the remainder of August,” Whateley told AFL Nation.
“So the notion that there's going to be a vote in August; for the moment, there’s no meeting.
“So maybe there will be a meeting slotted in over the next couple of weeks, but from what I can glean, there is no scheduled meeting that a vote would take place at.”
The key pillar of the license now rests with whether a purpose-built stadium will be provided by the Tasmanian state government.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has stated that a 19th license is contingent on a stadium, however Tasmania premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed during the week that a stadium won’t be part of the formal proposal put in front of club presidents.
The stadium wasn’t a listed as a necessity for a Tasmanian side when Colin Carter handed down his independent report in 2021, but 1988 Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy believes it is required, simply for the reason that if not now, it may never come.
“As much as everybody in football loves the notion of a Tasmanian team, does the AFL really in their heart of hearts think it can work and want a part of it, maybe it’s them who’s trying to prevaricate by throwing up the Stadium deal,” Healy said.
“I’m a bit confused, but the love between the AFL and the drive to this team has hit a hurdle, simply because no one is prepared to pay for the stadium.
“I think it is (a necessity).”
Gerard Whateley said: “I’m in that camp too”.
News Corp reports the AFL Commission will meet on Monday and a detailed information pack will be sent to club presidents to inform their decisions on Tassie’s bid.
At least six or seven presidents are understood to be "violently opposed" to awarding a 19th license.