THE AFL hasn't ruled out allowing North Melbourne priority access to all junior football talent from across Tasmania. 

It follows AFL.com.au's revelations the Kangaroos are pushing to establish a state-wide academy – effectively taking ownership of Tasmania as a zone, similar to the academies in the northern states. 

"That's a really futuristic approach from North about access to players," AFL game development general manager Simon Lethlean said in Hobart on Friday. 

Match preview: North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

Lethlean was in Tasmania for meetings on Friday, which included talks with state government officials about North's future presence at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.

Kangaroos chief executive Carl Dilena confirmed this week his club is on the verge of signing a five-year deal to play three home games a season in the Tasmanian capital.

While in Hobart, Lethlean unveiled Robert Auld, the brother of AFL operations executive Travis, as the new AFL Tasmania chief executive.

Auld, 46, comes to the job after a 15-year tenure in senior management at brewing giant Lion (formally Lion Nathan.)

"What I would say is that as part of the North Melbourne renewal they're keen to be the club and the brand that supports the academy down here, especially the multi-cultural and indigenous parts of our academy programs," Lethlean said. 

"There's a separate talent academy pathway for Rob to have with the Tasmanian football community about setting up the best pathways for your talent.

"If it can be with North as the partner then so be it, that's a real positive for football."