Tasmanian AFL Taskforce member Grant O'Brien has welcomed support from former Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire in the state's bid for its own AFL team. Appearing on Footy Classified on Wednesday night, McGuire put forward a six-minute pitch on why the state should get the 19th team in the league - in an attempt to make the game a completely national sport. McGuire's 'pathway' was broken down into six key areas - money, talent, stadium, lifestyle, leadership and the idea of a 20th team. The suggestion and support is one Tasmanian AFL Taskforce member Grant O'Brien said he was pleased to hear. "I think there's a couple of things that are very positive about it; it's acknowledgment that a Tassie team is critical for a truly national game," O'Brien said. "I think that should give everyone a level of confidence. "Having someone like Eddie talking about Tassie's inclusion rather than something that would never happen is really encouraging." In his pitch, McGuire suggested the state government would need to double its investment in the game, putting forward $20 million each year; secure another $20 million from the federal government; and have a commercial profit of $15 million to make the team work. In addition to the government's financial investment in the team, McGuire suggested Tasmania would need a stadium with a retractable roof to accommodate prime broadcast games, including Friday night fixtures. Upgrades to infrastructure in the state isn't one O'Brien shied away from, understanding of the impact it would have. "If you look at the more powerful and financial clubs in the AFL, they reside really in Adelaide and Perth, where they have new start of the art stadiums that are used for many things "That's not just dead money, it's money that generates (income) for the state and footy club - that model that he's taking about are thinks that we should be looking at." O'Brien wasn't fully supportive of all of McGuire's comments, disputing whether the state needed to increase its number of players drafted into the league. "I think he's possibly got that the wrong way round; the talent the state has produced is possibly some of the best ever," he said. "The notion that you have to get more draft picks before you get a team is perhaps the wrong way around." The business plan put together by the Taskforce is currently being independently assessed by former Geelong Football Club president Colin Carter. Premier Peter Gutwein welcomed McGuire's public support for the state team, "welcoming him on board". ALSO IN SPORT "The key point that Eddie made, which I'm very pleased with, is the time is right now for Tassie to have a team," Gutwein said. "The key thing that we need from the AFL is a decision on the time frame and I welcome Eddie McGuire coming on board "So, I say, welcome on board Eddie, it's about time." With the Taskforce's plan to have it's own state team by 2025, O'Brien said it was crucial the AFL acted sooner rather than later. "It's pivotal, critical, it's the most important thing in my view, otherwise (other sports) will take the eye of every young sports fan," he said. "If the AFL are fairdinkum about keeping their market share in Tassie, they have to invest in a team in Tasmania. "It's about how it fosters interest and talent in the game in what has historically been a footy state." Sign up for The Advocate's sports email newsletter here