Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff hopes the state’s bid to win an AFL licence will be a “done deal” in the near future and expects an announcement within weeks.

Tasmania’s bid to become the AFL’s 19th team will go on the line next week when the proposal is put to AFL club presidents.

There has been no set date for a final vote but Rockliff is optimistic.

“There will be discussions with the presidents early next week as I understand it and I would hope that we would have within a fortnight from that point in time a very solid announcement,” Rockliff told ABC radio on Friday.

Asked if it was a done deal that Tasmania’s bid would be accepted, Rockliff replied: “Not yet.

“But I’m looking forward to it being a done deal in the not too distant future. I’m confident, but also very excited.

“This has been a 30-year conversation for Tasmanians in terms of being part of the Australian Football League. The Australian Football League needs to have a Tasmania in it, in AFL and AFLW.

“We’re not too far away.

“Football is dying in Tasmania and to save it we need to invest in the AFL. We will do that.”

The Tasmanian government will reportedly invest $150 million over 10 years as part of the bid.

Two weeks ago, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said a new stadium in Tasmania, which would cost about $750 million, needs to be a part of the island state’s bid.

“I don’t think Tasmanians would want a team without a new stadium,” McLachlan said.

“That’s what the deal’s going to be and nothing has changed about that.”

– AAP