HAWTHORN president Jeff Kennett has urged the AFL not to further promote the north-south rivalry in Tasmania by scheduling a match between the Hawks and North Melbourne in the state next year.

Hawthorn has been playing four home games per season in Launceston, Tasmania's biggest northern city, for 10 years, while the Kangaroos will play two matches a year in Hobart, in the state's south, from 2012.

The idea has been floated to stage an annual showdown between the two Tasmanian tenants, but Kennett doesn't support the proposal.

"I make a plea to the administration of the AFL: please don't promote and set up a game that is Hawthorn against North Melbourne with the view in mind to further develop the north-south rivalry that exists in Tasmania," Kennett told guests at the Hawthorn president's function at the MCG on Friday night.

"I say that because the Tasmanian community is going through a challenging period over the next few years.

"Tasmania has to fight for recognition as a state against all of us on the mainland, and to promote further the division that has existed there for all time, in my opinion, is not of good value."

The former Victorian premier instead pushed for Tasmanian fans to be given a chance to see a wider array of teams, particularly the big Melbourne clubs, who at present never play in the island state.

"I would like to see, with the arrival of North Melbourne in Tasmania, the AFL now schedule six different teams to play Hawthorn and North Melbourne, to give those AFL-loving supporters the opportunity to see as many AFL teams as possible.

"In two or three years you can rotate all of the Melbourne teams through Tasmania.

"That will cost the AFL a little bit in terms of attendances, but it will lift the ratings on television, and more importantly it will pay due respect to the Tasmanians, who follow every team."

Kennett said his club had no objection to North Melbourne joining the Hawks in playing home matches in Tasmania.

"We are not opposed to that at all," he said.

"We think it's good for Tasmania."

Mark Macgugan writes for hawthornfc.com.au and covers Hawthorn news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mmacgugan.