Why SFL, NTFA stars want more rep footy
NTFA and SFL community league players have backed more representative footy in coming years, adamant it will have huge benefits for their best youngsters. Plus catch our top players to watch in Saturday’s Campbell Town clash.
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For the first time in Tasmanian history, the community league footy players will get the opporunity to play rep footy as the SFL clash with the NTFA on Saturday July 5 in Campbell Town.
The Mercury takes a deep dive into the stories building into what is expected to be a massive day off footy.
Click to: SFL MEN | NTFA MEN |
The best players from across the SFLW, who would usually rival each other, will now run out at midday on Saturday with the plan to claim further bragging rights over their northern counterparts.
For the first time in history, the SFL Community League and NTFA will face off.
Erin Chivers has been announced as the women’s head coach for the clash.
Chivers said over four weeks of training it was tough to cut the squad down.
“We had a squad of 49 girls from across the SFLW Community League, which was really exciting,” Chivers said.
“So we trained for four weeks and managed to get our squad down to 25 and then selected our playing 20, which is really exciting.
“What was really pleasing for me as a coach, is having representation across all clubs. It shows the level of talent and the spread of talent across Southern footy.”
Hutchins’ Sophie Botterill-James has been named captain with the defender wanting to see this type of representative game be played annually.
“It’s an honour and I’m excited for the Community League itself,” Botterill-James said.
“It’s the first opportunity that we’ve had to do this, so I think it’s going to be very exciting.
“I’m really excited to play alongside some of the Claremont girls, we’ve got Nat Smedley, Nat Curtis, I’m just super excited to see how they go in the midfield and across the ground and just really learn from them.”
SFLW Players to watch
Nat Smedley – Claremont
The Magpies dominant midfielder is arguably one of the best players in the league. Smedley’s pace, ball skills and footy brain is something that has set her above the rest of the competition and will get the chance to showcase her skills on Saturday.
Brooke Miller – Hutchins
Miller has been another shining star for Hutchins this season with the ability to go forward as well as swing into the midfield. Miller’s attack on the footy and ability to apply defensive pressure in the forward half is what sets her amongst some of the best players in the league.
Chloe Ford – New Norfolk
The strong forward will be one of the key targets as the SFL look to claim further bragging rights. Ford has a great ability to create a contest around the attacking 50 and goal sense.
Why SFL, NTFA stars want more rep footy
There might be a rivalry on the field between the SFL and NTFA but according to Cygnet coach Lachy Watt there is more to play for than just bragging rights.
It is the first time the Community League have put a team together to play against the NTFA after the SFL Premier League claimed the cups against the NTFA and NWFL last month.
As much as the South wants to continue the winning record, the focus will be ensuring it becomes an annual event.
“Any time the competition puts the effort into the best players in the league to represent their league, I think that’s great,” Watt said.
“Everyone loves playing rep footy and when you finish your career, obviously you play for premierships and for success but just behind that rep footy is the next thing.
“I am the second or third oldest in our side which is interesting, so we have lots of young blokes, lots of blokes playing their first game of rep footy this weekend.
“I am sure it is something they’ll reminisce about at the end of their career that they had the opportunity to represent the league.”
Watt will be joined by a number of his premiership Cygnet teammates along with plenty of rival players on Saturday.
“I am looking forward to reconnecting with a few of my old teammates I played with up at the Tigers,” Watt said.
“It’s pretty interesting, I think there’s four different clubs who have ex-Tigers players playing, Hayden Webster from Lindisfarne, Will Poland from Sorell, lots of the Huonville boys and the Cygnet boys as well.
“It’s always good competition but I think the good thing about the SFL and the Community League is everyone goes out to battle each other on Saturday but there is a really good connection after games.
“You go into any of the opposition rooms after the game and have a beer together, what happens on the field stays on the field and that’s what is great about community footy.”
The two games will be played at Campbell Town on Saturday with the women kicking off at 12pm and the men following at 2.10pm.
NTFA WOMEN’S GUNS KEEN FOR REP CHANCE
Jenna Griffiths admits she suffered from “FOMO” watching the recent regional representative series.
With only Premier League players eligible for the three region concept the Bridgenorth star was ineligible given the Parrots, who won last year’s premier women’s flag, are now in division two.
Griffiths is one of a number of female players who couldn’t feature against the SFL and NWFL last month, despite being among the state’s best.
It’s why the NTFA-SFL Community League clash at Campbell Town on Saturday has been circled on her calendar.
“With the restructure of the NTFA it’s all new. I got a bit of FOMO from the tri-series, so it’s a good opportunity to get back out there and get some normality back into our football season,” she said.
“I think this opportunity can only expand going forward. It’s good to see what’s possible from division one, and for girls coming up to be aiming for premier division.”
NTFA women’s coach Adrian Collins is hopeful the concept will expand beyond one game from next year.
“I think it’s a fantastic concept. It allows these women to be involved in representative football and who knows, I’d strongly encourage the NWFL to see how they stack up and come into the series as well,” he said.
“Definitely the dynamics change around the ground’s size. We’ve looked to go with leg speed.”
The NTFA’s men’s team is stacked with star talent, with former State League stars like Josh Ponting and Dylan Riley headlining the team.
The match continues a stacked schedule for NTFA newcomers Campbell Town, who also hosted an Anzac Day clash against Evandale this year.
“It’s a hard time of year with some boys going on vacation for the bye,” NTFA assistant and Campbell Town head coach Corry Goodluck said.
“But a lot of the boys have put their hands up to play, which is really good, and we had a great list to choose from.
“There’s a lot of boys who could still be playing in the highest divisions of the state.
“It’s always hard picking a good team and there’s lot of good players missing out. We’ve got so many players who put their hand up to play, and some are unlucky.
“It’s a big ground and we’ve got some versatility with guys who can play both ends of the ground, and also leg speed.”
NTFA and Bracknell player Josh Frankcombe backed the concept to be an annual event.
“I think it’s a great thing. You butt heads with people you play against during the year, so to come together and do this annually wold be massive.”
Saturday’s women’s game begins at 12pm, followed by the men at 2pm.
NTFA COMMUNITY LEAGUE TEAMS
MEN
B: Cody Jones, Corey Nankervis, Tyler Brown
HB: Andy Potter, Dakota Bannister, Jaidyn Harris
C: Isaac Thompson, Jake Smith, Josh Ponting
HF: Will Haley, Cooper Warren, Brayden Claridge
F: Ben Elmer, Jordan Talbot, Dylan Riley
Fol: Josiah Burling, Josh Frankcombe, Hamish Leedham
Int: Sam Talbot, Matty McKinnon, Jack Venn, Nathan Kingsley
WOMEN
B: Jenni Hughes, Courtney Grice
HB: Merryn Dickenson, Charlie Giddons, Emma Woods
C: Estelle Margetts, Jenna Griffiths, Ruby Hirst, Jess Murphy, Lucy Williams, Taja Richardson
HF: Mia Jarman, Chelsea Bezemer, Harlee Hill
F: Courtney Sharman, Teagan Hodgetts
Int: Siofra Clarke, Blair Kirkpatrick, Brianna Hinkley, Taylah Lehman
TEAMS LIST
MENS:
B: Jackson Simpson Aidan Webster Luke Ashlin
HB: Dylan Zantuck Will Poland Lochie Griggs
C: Jeremiah Perkins Lachy Watt Thomas Clark
HF: Mitchell Walker James Zeitzen Teege Westbury
F: Connor Downham Joe Direen Ed Stanley
R: Will Polley Sheldon Smith Mitch Anderton
I: Jason Gridley Edward Burrows-Cheng Jude Butler Ryan Wakefield
E: Noah Mead Hamish Watt Tom Curran
WOMENS:
B: Georgie Parnham, Hannah Scott
HB: Sophie Botterill-James, Mikayla Lack, Bianca Hollingsworth
C: Ali Badenach, Nat Smedley, Mimosa Middleton-Miller
HF: Chanette Thuringer, Mia Giles, Brooke Miller
F: Chloe Ford, Ashton Saunders
R: Ava Allanby, Georiga Jones, Abbie Jones
I: Amy Sharp, Kelli Smith, Nat Curtis, Sarah Midgley
E: Georgie Banks, Mena McLeod, Molly Ford, Katie Stanford, Olivia Hudson
SFL MEN’S PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ed Stanley – Lindisfarne
Stanley is the competition leading goalkicker with 62 goals. The crafty forward is strong overhead and slick around the ground and can play both the tall forward with the skill of a small crumber.
Jeremiah Perkins – Sorell
Perkins speed and class is something to watch off the wing. Has had the ability to go forward or back for the Eagles and help rebound off the half back, expect him to use his run and carry and ball skills to set up the big forwards of the SFL.
Joe Direen – Cygnet
The Ports big man will be able to use his height and toughness in the contest, showing why he is one of the best forwards in the competition. Cygnet’s skipper can be used as a pinch-hitter in the ruck but it is his forward dominance which is something that will give NTFA defenders sleepless nights.
Teege Westbury – Lindisfarne
The Two Blues midfield bull will likely start off the half forward and will likely play as the swingman entering SFL’s forward 50 but it is his toughness and ruthless is something to be feared. The in and under bull will be used through the midfield if NTFA seem to be pulling away but will also chop in and out for one of his fellow midfielders.
NTFA MEN’S PLAYERS TO WATCH
Josiah Burling – Perth
The team’s captain has been in brilliant touch since departing Launceston to return to his home club this year. An intercept defender who racked up plenty of touches in the State League, where he won a flag with the Blues, Burling is versatile and also runs through the middle at the Magpies.
Ben Elmer – Perth
Elmer has been unstoppable up forward for Perth, kicking 73 goals in ten games this year. Only Motton Preston’s Jaylen Hayward has kicked more goals across the state this year. Elmer has kicked a couple of monster bags against division two strugglers, but there’s no doubting his quality and he’ll be motivated to show he can be just as impactful at rep level. The SFL will be on red alert trying to stop Elmer and former Launceston goal machine Dylan Riley.
Jaidyn Harris – Hillwood
An x-factor who intercepts a lot of marks and takes a lot of gambles with his game. He can leave his man and cut other forwards off and use his pace to spark attacking raids.
Josh Ponting – Rocherlea
One of the State League’s most decorated players of recent years, Ponting stepped down as Rocherlea captain this year. It means he can focus on dominating through the midfield, including a recent game against Bridgenorth where he had over 50 touches. The type of player who will lift when the chips are down.
Originally published as Why SFL, NTFA stars want more rep footy
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