Stepien confirmed on Sunday that he was in discussions with a number of Premier clubs in Tasmania and that he'd informed his Victorian club Carlton that he'd be moving on.

Stepien, 23, had a brief stint last summer with Launceston-based club Greater Northern Raiders in the Tasmania Premier Cricket competition where he made a career-best 223 off just 158 balls in a two-day fixture.

"Carlton knows that I'm leaving and I'm still deciding which club I'll play with in Tasmania,'' Stepien said.

"It's time for a different lifestyle and a change. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"Potentially, there might be more opportunities for me in Tasmania and I really enjoyed playing down there last year.

"I can't wait to get down there and give it a red hot crack."

Stepien said he'd join the Tasmanian cricket academy program, which is similar to the development squad he was part of with Cricket Victoria for the past two years.

"Training starts in July, so I'll get straight into it when I move down there,'' he said.

Despite being one of the highest run scorers in Premier Cricket in recent seasons, the hard-hitting left-hander couldn't get an opportunity in the Victorian squad.

In the past three first XI seasons with Carlton, Stepien posted totals of 755 runs, 569 runs and 637 runs and he produced some of the most destructive innings in the Super Slam T20 league.

Stepien represented the Victoria second XI in three four-day matches in 2019-20 where he had a highest score of 90.

The past two summers he received late call-ups from the Melbourne Renegades to join their Big Bash League squads.

He played two games in the 2019 season, but didn't get a bat in either match. Last summer he was added to the squad, but wasn't selected to play a game.

The decision to depart Carlton in the hope of finding greener pastures in Tasmania was not an easy one for Stepien.

"Carlton is like one big family and it's been a huge part of my life for the past five years,'' he said.

"It's such a good club with so many great people. Everyone is hungry to get another premiership and I know they've got the talent there to do that.

"I'm thankful that everyone at the club has supported my decision. I can always come back if it doesn't work out in Tassie.

"Hopefully, it does work out and I can pull on a Tassie cap one day. If I can do that it will be through all the work done by Carlton and White Hills in my junior years."

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