Hawthorn utility Grant Birchall gave his two front teeth for Tasmania, the AFL club's president Jeff Kennett said on Monday when thanking the state for its major sponsorship of the Hawks.

The Tasmanian-born Birchall is with a Hawks group on its way to Launceston to meet the rest of the team after a lightning tour of Hobart with the AFL premiership cup.

The state government is the Hawks' major sponsor, with a five-year $15 million deal to play four games per season in Launceston until 2011.

Kennett told Premier David Bartlett on Monday in Hobart that his club is grateful for the state's support and takes seriously its obligation to promote Tasmania as a tourist destination.

So seriously, he joked, that Birchall gave his two front teeth for the cause.

"He gave his two teeth for Tasmania," Kennett told Bartlett.

"There's not many people you can say that about."

Birchall lost half of his two front teeth in a clash during Saturday's upset grand final win over Geelong.

"They're gone," he told reporters when asked about his injured fangs.

"I have to get them replaced this week but it's all been worth it."

Birchall said carrying the AFL premiership cup in his home state was a dream come true.

"It's obviously very special and being a Tasmanian it makes me really proud," he said.

Birchall, Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell, Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge and coach Alastair Clarkson were swamped by scores of well-wishers in Hobart's Elizabeth Mall.

Clarkson said he had no sympathy for the vanquished Geelong.

"Any runner-up in the last 150 years of footy is disappointed when they have just fallen short of the great prize," he said.

"Grand finals are difficult to win. We are fortunate we were able to salute this year.

"Over the course of the year the Cats were the most formidable team in the competition.

"It took a special effort from our players to get over the line Saturday."

The Hawks group will travel by helicopter to Launceston.

In Launceston the front-page of The Examiner newspaper on Monday carries the banner headline: Welcome home mighty Hawks.

The rest of the Hawthorn team will join the advance party in Launceston later on Monday to present the cup to fans at Aurora Stadium.

Bartlett, who is crowing with the success of the controversial tourism marketing deal, has said he will not oppose a decision by any school to allow children out of classes to see the players.

Business leaders have suggested the same could apply to employers who had similar requests from staff.

Cutting across the Hawks' endeavours to be a Tasmanian presence is the Apple Isle government's push for a team permanently based there in the next wave of AFL expansion in 2011 and 2012.

Tasmania wants to take a spot in any 18-team competition, eyeing the place the AFL wants to give to western Sydney.

Despite Monday's excitement, Bartlett remains committed to that cause," he said.

"This just goes to show how much Tassie people love football.

"We want a team of our own and that's what we are going to continue to fight for.

"But we are very thrilled that the Hawks are wearing the Tasmania logo this time around."

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