One of Tasmania’s greatest AFL products, Matthew Richardson, has made an impassioned plea to the Apple Isle’s politicians to make sure the new stadium in Hobart become as a reality regardless of who was in government.

The Tasmania Devils are fearing for their future as an AFL expansion club, amid growing political uncertainty.

The state’s Labor opposition is poised to pass a no-confidence motion against Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff, which could endanger the Devils club.

It comes as Rockliff faces increasing heat over his party’s financial management and plans for a new stadium in Hobart.

The proposed 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a contractual condition of the Devils’ entry into the AFL in 2028.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Tasmania Football Club said the political uncertainty presents a “serious risk” to its future.

A group of key Devils figures on Wednesday pleaded for politicians to put aside their differences for the sake of the club.

“The Tassie political situation is a big concern. If it didn’t happen it would be a gut-wrenching mistake for the State,” Richardson, a columnist for The Nightly, said.

“We have talked about team for so long and to have it at arm’s length only for it to fall over would be embarrassing for the State.

“Everyone I talk to is pro-team, pro-stadium, most people seem to want it, except a loud minority.”

Richardson said more was at stake than the AFL team.

“So much will be possible, there can be 300 events a year from conferences to basketball and cricket. No major acts go to Tassie, they will now,” he said.

“And with the hospitality flow on in the area, I can’t see how it is not a winner.”

Kath McCann - the club’s general manager of marketing, corporate affairs and social impact - was reduced to tears.

“This club is powered by our future generations; by our kids and by our grandkids,” McCann said.

“It’s an opportunity to bring this state together, it’s an opportunity to create pathways, and they’re real. They’re happening now.

“I’ve got 50 students out here in my sight line, they power us every single day, and they will keep doing that.

“We’re going to play on and we want to see this team, this club, become a reality because our young people deserve it.”

She said the political fight was a negative look for Tasmania on a national and international scale.

“What this looks like is uncertainty, what it looks like is a risk to invest, what it looks like is a state not unified, and I think we’re better than that,” McCann said.

“And I think our leaders need to think about the consequences of their actions.

“We see this club playing a massive role in not only the economic success of the state going forward, but also the social fabric of who we are as a place.

“I just encourage any decision-maker to think about consequences of actions and implications.”

Devils ambassador Jack Riewoldt said club officials remain focused on delivering success for their 210,000 members, despite the ongoing uncertainty.

The Tasmania product and Richmond triple-premiership star did not want to contemplate a future where the Devils don’t exist.

“It would be a big opportunity lost,” Riewoldt said.

“These things don’t come around very often, and who’s to say it might come around ever again if this is not the time for it.

“It would be extremely disappointing, and hopefully we’re not having that conversation.”

The slated cost of the waterfront Macquarie Point stadium has blown out to $945 million, up from the previous estimate of $755 million and the original figure of $715 million.

Cricket Australia has also raised concerns about the proposed hatched roof design, which it says will prevent daylight cricket being played at the venue because of shadows cast on the field.

“In its current format, it doesn’t pass,” Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg told AAP last Friday.

“So they’ve got to do some more work in order to satisfy us and satisfy cricket that the stadium can accommodate us.”