It's not just Tasmanian footy that's the problem. Tassie has no A-League, W-League, NRL, NBL, WNBL, NRL or Super League clubs either. But the AFL's decision to overlook Tasmania cuts particularly deep for the locals, who have lived and breathed the game since the 1800s. 

Due to recent club-foldings, the Tasmanian East-Coast doesn't even have a regional side. This dearth of funding perpetuates a catch-22 situation for the island-state, where the AFL rejects potential expansion options due to a lack of player pathways.

Foxsports reported that Tasmanian newspaper, The Mercury, is now applying public pressure on the AFL CEO ahead of an expected visit with a map of the state pointing out the region's AFL shortcomings.

But whether overwhelming public support can make a difference is yet to be seen.

“Where Hobart is. Fun fact: It’s the only capital without its own AFL team. Plenty of time, though — we only started playing the game here in 1864," the newspaper's headline will read.

Premiership winner Jack Riewoldt has been similarly outspoken on his home-state's behalf.

“I’m always happy to talk about Tasmanian footy. It’s in a little bit of a pickle at the moment, it’s been really disappointing,” Riewoldt told Foxsports.

“I think there are some broader issues that the AFL can help out with and the state government, which has been newly elected down there, can help out with.

"Hopefully we can move forward and continue to find the right pathways for kids getting into the AFL system."