TASMANIAN football boss Rob Auld wants to see the state's two sister AFL clubs – Hawthorn and North Melbourne – develop an on-field rivalry in the Apple Isle.
The Hawks and Roos, who play four and three home games each season in Tasmania, respectively, faced off at University of Tasmania Stadium on Sunday for the first time in five years.
Club members gain access at selected replacement matches in Melbourne to compensate for the home games across the Bass Strait.
The clubs played each other at the Launceston venue every year from 2009 to 2012 and in 2006 and 2007, but never at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, where North plays its home matches.
Changing that history is part of Auld's wish if the game was again to become a regular fixture, saying the clash should alternate between UTAS Stadium and Blundstone Arena.
"I think there's a really good rivalry that could come from that," Auld told AFL.com.au.
"What we've seen as recently as last Sunday is great support – almost 15,000 people went to the game – and also the two clubs really looking to invest in it and leverage from that.
"I think there's a possibility there, but we do need to be conscious of all of the complexities of fixturing and the clubs' requests."
Hawthorn hailed last weekend's match as "a great success" and is in "full support" of an annual match against North Melbourne in Tasmania, but it is unclear if the Hawks are willing to play in Hobart.
A Kangaroos spokesman told AFL.com.au: "We are not against the idea, but aren't actively pursuing it at this stage."
Auld said AFL Tasmania would forward to the AFL the suggestion of an annual match between Hawthorn and North Melbourne as part of its typical fixturing requests.
Tasmania's relationship with the two clubs stretches to the NAB AFL Women's competition.
The Kangaroos submitted a joint submission with AFL Tasmania for entry into the fledgling League, while the Hawks want to play "at least" one home match in Launceston if they gain an AFLW licence.
Both plan to offer playing spots to Tasmanians.
But Auld said it was important to play matches in both Launceston and Hobart, especially if a tradition between the AFL clubs was to start.
"The north-south divide works well when you're talking about sport and parochialism and driving some energy and fun from it," Auld said.
"But my preference is that the state itself steps away from that. It's that unity that will grow footy and get the attention of those that make decisions on fixturing and others – that we can act as one voice and one state, then use the divide in a fun and competitive way."
