There's an adage that sport and politics should not mix - but it's too late for Tasmania's stadium plan, an AFL dream and Liberal and Labor parties scrambling for votes at a state election.
Tasmania's AFL club, slated to enter the competition in 2028, will on Monday reveal its colours, logo and jumper, five days out from the March 23 poll.
The licence, granted by the league in May, is contingent on the construction of a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart.
The stadium is backed by the governing Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, but described as a "bad idea" by their Labor opposition.
Labor leader Rebecca White believes the stadium, slated to cost $715 million, is not the right priority amid health, housing and education struggles and a cost-of-living crisis.
She has pledged to try to renegotiate the state's contract with the AFL despite league CEO Andrew Dillon repeatedly saying there is no wiggle room.
Ms White seemingly softened her position at a leaders' debate on Tuesday, indicating she wanted to see a team thrive at existing grounds before supporting new infrastructure.
Opinion polls have indicated the Liberals will win more seats than Labor but neither party will have enough support to secure a majority.
Ms White and Premier Jeremy Rockliff have said they're open to governing in minority but both have ruled out doing "deals" with minor parties and independents to get there.
The crossbench could hold a mix of stadium views - the Greens are opposed, the Jacqui Lambie Network is "concerned" about the deal, while notable independent candidates are on both sides of the fence.
Irrespective of who wins power, the stadium will face a vote of parliament for approval after assessment by the state's planning commission.
The assessment process was locked in after two Liberals quit the party to sit as independents in May, partly over the AFL deal, and plunged the government into minority.
The stadium was not part of initial public discussions around the team until 2022 when then-premier Peter Gutwein flagged a desire for a new ground.
"What (Mr Rockliff) has done is divide the state," Ms White told reporters.
"Tasmanians have been walked all over and Jeremy Rockliff allowed that to happen."
She has denied Labor's position could put the state's hard-fought AFL aspiration in jeopardy.
"There's a board and (the club has) started employing people," she said.
"They're starting to actually build the momentum for a team in Tasmania.
"Is the AFL really going to rip that away from us?"
Mr Rockliff described Ms White's position as "clear as mud" and one that would kill off the dreams of boys and girls.
The Liberals earlier in the campaign announced they would cap the state's stadium spend at a previously announced $375 million.
They say private investment will be sought to cover any cost overruns.
The federal Labor government is contributing $240 million and the AFL $15 million, with $85 million expected to come from borrowings or leasing.
Tasmania Football Club chair Grant O'Brien has moved to distance the club from political slinging, saying it was a sporting organisation not a government department.
Mr Rockliff won't be attending the launch to avoid "politicisation", while Ms White has secured a ticket.
The Macquarie Point Development Corporation has released tenders to progress concept designs for the stadium.
