It's time to state the blindingly obvious. Tasmania's bid to join the A-League is not simply about Tasmania. In fact the external factors surrounding the bid are arguably more significant, and more relevant, than the bid itself. It's why Tasmania must become the 11th team in the league next season. Not the season after, or the one after that. Now.

Indulge me. For the sake of the exercise, let's forget this bid comes from Tasmania. Let's just focus on the fact that it's a bid to join the A-League. Full stop. If we do that, we begin to understand, and appreciate, why it's irresistible. There's a once-in-a-generation, perhaps even once-in-a-lifetime, confluence of events that can benefit the game in a much more profound way than simply adding a new team to the competition. Either Football Federation Australia don't see it, or don't want to see it. So let's get started.

In support of Tasmania bid: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

First up, it's about political power. The sort of power, and patronage, the game has rarely enjoyed. The favour of mainstream politicians has been eternally elusive, and it's cost the game dearly. Yet, suddenly here it is. In full bloom.

In the past few weeks, all the big wheels have rolled out in support. The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the state premier Will Hodgman. The Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie. The mayor of Hobart. It's a full set.