NORTH Melbourne wants to continue to play three games a season in Tasmania as it prepares to extend its deal with the state through to 2021.

The Kangaroos are close to confirming a five-year deal to play matches in Hobart, continuing an arrangement that started in 2012.

But ahead of this Sunday's clash against Melbourne at Blundstone Arena, CEO Carl Dilena says the club said North was not prepared to stand alone as the AFL's sole club in Tasmania.  

"No, the AFL flagged that a while ago and it’s been discussed along the way," Dilena told News Limited. 

"Both ourselves and Hawthorn see the current model working well.

"Hawthorn signed up to a five-year deal and we are looking to sign a five-year deal, and that will be the status quo for the foreseeable future.

"The AFL is thinking about its options and working out what is best for footy in Tasmania, and we will have those discussions down the track."

The AFL last month reaffirmed its desire to establish one team in Tasmania playing up to eight games, preferring it to the model that sees Hawthorn and the Kangaroos share seven games a season in the state.

"The short-term reality is a two-team model and that’s working fine," AFL game development manager Simon Lethlean said last month.

"(But) conceptually, we think one team is probably best and if we can get there at some stage following the expiration of those deals, so be it." 

Hawthorn signed a five-year $19 million extension to its deal last August, and Dilena said North Melbourne could announce its own extension in "the next month or two".

"We have spoken to everyone down there and we are on the same page," he said.

"Once we get a chance to sit down and nut through the final details it will all be fine."