NORTH Melbourne will play two games at Hobart's Bellerive Oval from 2012, the Tasmanian Government and AFL announced in Hobart on Tuesday afternoon.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the deal, together with the four games Hawthorn plays at Launceston's Aurora Stadium each year, would help satisfy Tasmanian's desire for local AFL matches.

"We are really pleased to see more AFL football in Tasmania," Demetriou said.

"We know the football community has been pushing hard for more games and we know Tasmanians want more AFL content, not less.

"The AFL has been impressed by the Government’s determination to bring the AFL to the whole of Tasmania."

Demetriou thanked Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings for personally brokering the deal.

"I know the Government's long-term commitment to seeing this through has meant a lot to all of the parties involved - including the AFL," Demetriou said.

Demetriou also paid tribute to the other parties who had made the deal a reality, the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, Hobart City Council, AFL Tasmania, Spirit of Tasmania and North Melbourne.

"It is a fitting reward for the business community … and also AFL Tasmania for their faith and hard work," Demetriou said.

"We have seen the impact AFL games have had on Launceston and the wider Tasmanian economy through the tourism benefits of interstate football supporters coming in to see games.

"That is why the Tasmanian Government has been so supportive of these two games at Bellerive Oval, giving more Tasmanians an opportunity to see AFL football but also ensuring more Tasmanians will benefit from the extra two games in the state."

North chairman James Brayshaw also welcomed the news.

"It's been a long time coming and we appreciate everyone's help in pulling this deal together," Brayshaw said.

"We can't wait to play games in Hobart next year."

Demetriou said North had committed to having a strong presence in Hobart and the wider Tasmanian community. And given the Government's commitment to the deal and the AFL's ongoing backing, Demetriou said he was confident North would "become successful in its own right".