The AFL and Tasmanian State Government have reached an agreement on key terms for a 19th licence in the Apple Isle.
Rockliff took to Twitter on Friday morning to confirm the news.
“I have some news to share with you all before it hits the press. We have reached an in principal agreement on the key commercial terms to bring a Tasmanian team into the AFL. In our colours, singing our song...” he wrote.
“Some more work still needs to be done, but make no mistake, we will get our standalone team and finally take our rightful place in the national league. Tasmania is on the move.”
Premier:
— RockliffTeamMedia (@RockliffTeam) November 18, 2022
"I have some news to share with you all before it hits the press.
We have reached an in principal agreement on the key commercial terms to bring a Tasmanian team into the AFL.
In our colours, singing our song..." pic.twitter.com/c4VHzzwxzI
Rockliff and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan held a press conference on Friday morning to confirm the news.
McLachlan said the stadium continued to be the only sticking point in negotiations.
“We need a stadium. The biggest sport in the country and one of the biggest sports in the world needs a stadium,” he told reporters, per The Mercury.
“Our fans expect the best.”
The Tasmanian Government have pledged to pay for up to half of the stadium, with where the remaining funding comes from still to be determined.
The Federal Government has left the door open to contributing to the stadium, while private investors and the AFL could be the other options.