AN AFL match due to be played in a fortnight will go ahead despite an extensive fire at Launceston's Aurora Stadium in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Fire destroyed almost half the historic northern grandstand at the oval which serves as Hawthorn's second home.

But ground manger Robert Groenewegen said the April 13 match between the Hawks and Adelaide would proceed despite a damage bill of between $300,000 and $500,000.

Three bays of the eight-bay standing room only grandstand had been destroyed, reducing the ground's capacity from 20,000 to 19,000, he said.