An AFL team in Tasmania will be much more to Alastair Clarkson than just a big sporting achievement for the state.
The North Melbourne coach, who once advised Tasmania's bid to secure an AFL licence, said it will have a major economic impact.
Saturday's confirmation of federal funding for a new stadium in Hobart means the 19th team is a formality.
The AFL will most likely announce Tasmania as its newest team on Wednesday, after the club presidents and then the league's commission meet to discuss the issue.
Clarkson said the new stadiums in Perth and Adelaide had been big economic wins for those cities and he expects the same to happen with Hobart, as well as Tasmania more broadly.
"This isn't a football decision, it's an economic decision," he said.
"I'm more excited (about) what it can do for the whole of Tasmania.
"I know football will prosper too, but economically I think it will be one of the most significant things."
Clarkson also noted that the 19th team will have strong Tasmanian government backing.
"They could do something really, really special down there," he said.
"That Tasmanian side will be the only club in the competition ... who will have a state government as their major sponsor.
"That doesn't happen anywhere around the world and it's a pretty valuable asset to have for any club."
Brisbane coach and Tasmanian expatriate Chris Fagan said the new team would give the state's ailing local football leagues a big boost.
"We'll see Tassie become that state again that produces a lot of really good players. It has over the years, but I reckon it's died off a little bit lately," he said.
But Fagan said smart football people needed to be involved in the club's creation, noting the influence that Kevin Sheedy had as the inaugural GWS coach.
"Building the list is critical and the other thing is having wise football people set the club up," he said.
"The Giants did it really well when they got Sheeds in as coach.
"Those sorts of decisions are going to be critical."
Fagan also scoffed at last week's talk around whether Hobart could attract interstate players.
"I've lived in Hobart, it's a fantastic city and they'll be rock stars in that town," he said.
"It wouldn't be a bad place to play as a young bloke and even an older player with a younger family who wants a quieter upbringing for your children, there's lots of benefits to it."
