A 2018 study of Internet traffic showed 79% of Tasmanians (424,459) were interested in it, the highest rate in the country,[12] which was, according to Roy Morgan, a figure higher than the number of supporters of around half of existing AFL clubs.

[14] Successive bids during expansion periods for the competition in the 1990's and late 2000's were spurned in favour of teams in Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

In 2019 a government-appointed taskforce chaired by Brett Godfrey, with backing from the Tasmanian Government and at the advice of the AFL,[15] was set up to commission a business case for a team to be assessed by the league.

[16][17] An independent review was subsequently overseen by former AFL Commissioner and Geelong Football Club president Colin Carter and was publicly released in mid-2021, which concluded a stand-alone Tasmanian side could be financially viable with the ongoing assistance of government and league funding.

[20] Following the securing of federal government funding for a new purpose-built stadium on Hobart's foreshore, the AFL and club presidents met on 2 May 2023 and provided unanimous support to award a license to Tasmania.

The Kingston announcement came after several months of geotechnical investigations at the government's original site, within or adjacent to the Rosny Parklands on Hobart's eastern shore, revealed extensive works would need to be completed to allow the construction of the facility.

[3] In September, a board chaired by O'Brien was announced, including Kath McCann, James Henderson (AFL talent manager), Alastair Lynch, Alicia Leis, Roger Curtis, Laura McBain, Graeme Gardner and Kathy Schaefer.