Kingborough TSL premiership star Jack Tomkinson signs with SANFL club Central Districts

A premiership star of the new defunct Tasmanian State League has signed with a South Australian powerhouse for 2025. See the details.

2023 Tasmanian State League premiership player Jack Tomkinson won’t return to Kingborough’s line-up next season after signing with Central Districts. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Kingborough will head into the new SFL Premier League competition without TSL premiership star Jack Tomkinson.

Tomkinson’s departure was confirmed on Thursday night with the imposing big man signing with SANFL club Central Districts.

The former Brisbane Lions academy prospect returned to Tasmania ahead of the 2022 season and has spent the past three seasons as key cog in the Tigers line-up.

In a statement, Central Districts football manager Mark Ross said they had been chasing Tomkinson’s signature for some time.

“Jack is a high quality person who is super excited at the opportunity to take his game to the next level,” Ross said.

Tomkinson is a former member of the Brisbane Lions academy program and played 52 senior state league games at Kingborough. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We have been chasing Jack to join us here at Ponderosa for the last two seasons and we are excited that he has decided it is the right time to make the move.

“Jack’s strengths come from his ability to never give up on a contest. He hunts the ball both in the air and once it hits the ground, he can take a strong mark and is a good kick for goal. Most importantly he is always competing in everything he does on the field.

“We can see Jack becoming quite the cult figure among the Centrals faithful.”

Fellow Tasmanian players Jack Callinan, Zac Buechner, Aiden Grace and Will Splann were all on Central’s list this season with Grace winning the Norm Russell Medal, the senior best and fairest award.

Playing 52 games in the yellow and black, Tomkinson’s departure will leave a major hole in the Tigers big man stocks with his ability to play both ruck and forward crucial in their set-up across the last three seasons.

After missing the 2022 grand final loss through injury, the 200cm big man returned the following season to boot 37 goals, finish 12th in the Alastair Lynch Medal count with 10 votes and be a key player in the premiership win against North Launceston.

Despite the loss of Tomkinson, the 2023 premiers have re-signed a large contingent of top-end talent for next season.

Kingborough coach Trent Baumeler, captain Lachie Clifford and vice-captain Ben Donnelly are all locked in for 2025. Picture: Chris Kidd

Captain Lachie Clifford, vice-captain Ben Donnelly and superstar midfielder Kieran Lovell all re-signed back in August along with fellow senior players Riley Ashlin, Joey Browuer, Will Clifford, Lachlan Gadomski and Tyler Carter.

Following another terrific season, Lovell claimed the Tigers best and fairest award with 35 votes earlier this month.

He finished one ahead of fellow midfielder Mitch Brouwer (34) and Tomkinson (30), with Clifford (25) and Ashlin (17) rounding out the top five.

Premiership coach Trent Baumeler will also return after signing an extension earlier this season.

Originally published as Kingborough TSL premiership star Jack Tomkinson signs with SANFL club Central Districts