The Apple Isle's campaign to join the AFL took a step forward yesterday with the announcement that Melbourne-based consultancy firm Gemba, which has worked with eight current AFL clubs, would develop the business case for the bid.

While the AFL has consistently stated its priority is to create new clubs on the Gold Coast and western Sydney, Tasmanian Economic Development Minister Paula Wriedt said there were signs her state's campaign was having an effect.

''We have seen some sort of a shift already as far as the AFL is concerned,'' Wriedt said yesterday.

''[AFL chief executive] Andrew Demetriou was on the news last night saying 'Who knows what might happen?'

''Previously he had closed the door on Tasmania.

''When the former premier Paul Lennon and myself met with him in May, we asked whether we could put a business case and if we did, would it be given due consideration and proper consideration based on the merits of the case.

''We were given that undertaking.

''So the door had been closed, it has opened a crack back in May and I think it has been opened a little bit further now.''

Wriedt said Tasmania's strong Australian Rules history meant it deserved a club of its own, but just as important was that it had the business and community support to sustain it.

''We can't [just] say we deserve it because we're passionate football supporters,'' she said.

''We also have to say yes that support's there, but we can actually put forward, we believe, a sustainable business case for a team to be there in the long term ... we believe we can do just that.

''When we do that and put the submission in, the AFL can't ignore that.''

Wriedt said the government expected to announce a naming rights sponsor within the next month and was also in negotiations with several second-tier sponsors.

Its research also demonstrates that one in four Tasmanians would become members of an AFL club based in their state. AAP