AFL Tasmania has admitted some missteps in its handling of the state league licence dispute between Hobart and North Hobart.
The league says its plan to introduce new teams from Hobart and Kingborough will not be fast-tracked for next year.
It is now sticking with the original 2014 timeline and concedes there is plenty of work to do to recapture public interest in the competition.
Hobart and North Hobart agreed to join forces last week, ending the bitter licence dispute that spanned almost two seasons.
AFL Tasmania has faced allegations of bullying and mismanagement, but now it is preaching a message of reconciliation.
Board member Scott Clayton says change is never easy.
"It's a big market, people who don't want to change, and of course you look back in hindsight you could do things better," he said.
The dispute has been driven by the league's desire to add a new side from Kingborough without expanding the overall number of teams.
Last year, Hobart was under pressure to relocate or merge, but this season North Hobart has felt the blowtorch.
Both clubs were forced to submit applications to remain in the league but were then given a 50 per cent stake in a new city-based team.
It has been a difficult year for the competition, with the collapse of a TV broadcast deal and dwindling crowds.
The league has told clubs not to release attendance figures to the media.
Board member Brendon Gale concedes more promotional work is needed.
"You'd always want more people supporting it, more customers," he said.
"Crowds are down at AFL level as well but our focus is on getting the product right."
That product will be on display on Saturday, when Burnie takes on Launceston in the grand final.
Tags: sport, australian-football-league, hobart-7000, north-hobart-7000 First posted September 21, 2012 16:52:26