Organisers of the campaign for a Tasmanian AFL/AFLW team will hope their much-publicised official launch is a slow burn.

The United We Stand website was opened on Friday morning, with the backing of Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and media outlets across the state.

The campaign aims for 50,000 pledges, but by 5.30pm (AEST) the website was reporting less than 3000.

The government-backed Tasmanian taskforce wants a provisional licence from the AFL by the end of this year.

Significantly, the campaign aims to cut across the provisional rivalries that have dogged Tasmanian football.

The Hobart Mercury, Launceston Examiner and the Advcocate, with its north-western and western base, all called on Tasmanians to back the cause.

“The time has well and truly come for Tasmania to enter the AFL and AFLW with a team of our own,” he premier said in a statement.

“However, to achieve this long held goal, Tasmania must stand united.

“My government strongly supports the campaign for a team of our own and we established the AFL Taskforce to help build the case.

“It’s important now that all Tasmanians who share in this dream also stand up to send a very strong message to the AFL they can no longer ignore us.”

Hobart native Nick Riewoldt and Devonport’s Matthew Richardson are prominent supporters of the Tasmanian team project.

Hawthorn have made their Launceston home games a major commercial success and North Melbourne now host games in Hobart.

The Kangaroos also incorporate Tasmania into their AFLW team.

But locals say it is high time they had their own side.

Money will be a key driver, with the AFL adamant that the high costs of the Gold Coast and GWS expansion teams are worthwhile because of the extra broadcast revenue they generate out of their regions.