Scottsdale coach keen to extend deal to oversee Premier League initiation

New coach Rickie Dolliver is under no illusions it’ll take time to get Scottsdale up to Premier League speed. Which is why the former Belconnen mentor already wants to extend his deal into a third year.

Tasmanian Football Hall of Famer Rickie Dolliver (left) has been charged with ushering Scottsdale into the NTFA Premier League as coach. Picture: Linda Higginson/AFL Tasmania

New Scottsdale coach Rickie Dolliver has revealed he’s in talks with the club to extend his deal into a third year, to ensure he sees the enormous job through of transforming the Magpies into a quality Premier League outfit.

After returning to Tasmania last month after a long stint with Canberra club Belconnen, Dolliver said it’s been an “eye opener” as he works towards building the club’s player depth and professionalism.

After a very lean season last year, Dolliver is under no illusions the first season in the Premier League will be a tough initiation for Scottsdale.

But he’s urging the playing group to stick together and play the long game - which he hopes to do himself by extending his deal until the end of 2027.

“They’ve given everyone notice it’ll be three years until they review it (Premier League) again, so I don’t see the point of brining someone else in for the third year,” Dolliver said.

“I’d rather be here for the three we’ve been given by the competition, and I think the club is on the same page.

“I’ve already spoken to the club in regards to the possibility of taking on a third year, because the first year is going to be a real setting up stage, to be honest, and getting everything right at the club with facilities.

“They just need updating, there’s plenty of good facilities there that need updating a little. Also we need to set up our pathways, so the kids know our program is as good as anywhere in the state and they don’t need to go to town now to be put into these (regional) academy squads.”

Dolliver said his appointment came too late to recruit as much as he’d like, but is still “talking to a couple of blokes on the mainland.”

However he’s far more optimistic around half a dozen recruits from mainland leagues, including Canberra, will commit to the Magpies for 2026.

“I think we’ll pick up at least half a dozen players next year, from the people we’ve had conversations with already that we’ve missed out on for this season,” he said.

“We’ll be pushing very hard to pick those up.”

Dolliver has made it clear to the players that training expectations need to be raised significantly as they build toward trying to be competitive against former TSL heavyweights North Launceston and Launceston.

I’m well aware, and I’ve made it quite clear to the players, what to expect and the level they need to be at training wise,” Dolliver said.

“I reckon players-wise we’re about 95 per cent locals living and working in Scottsdale, when previously it was probably 50-50 between Scottsdale and the town (Launceston).

“The fact is in the last couple of seasons, because they’re not in Premier League, most of the guys haven’t started (training) until March, trained for four weeks and turned up to play.

“It’s been an eye opener for me and for them, what’s needed at this level to be successful. “We’re setting up that program and letting them know they have GPS’ and ice baths and a strength and conditioning coach, things they didn’t have previously,

“Those things are being set up now and we probably won’t get the benefit of that until halfway through this year.”

Dolliver played nearly 400 games for a variety of Tasmanian clubs and is in AFL Tasmania’s Hall of Fame.

He built a strong reputation for developing juniors at Belconnen, which will need to be a huge part of his strategy in building the Magpies.

“We’ve got good 16s and 18s and we’ll certainly use some of those kids through the course of the year,” he said.

“A lot through necessity to be totally honest, but they’ve still got some ability.

“We’re pushing the 18s group to play together, and blood them during the year to give them a taste of what’s required.

“We need to get the guys in the 20 to 25 year age group who have some ability and let them know they can play for clubs like Bridport when they’re 35. Why not have a crack at the best comp in the state.”

Dolliver said the appointment of Peter Gutwein as NTFA president would not only help Scottsdale grow as a long-time ambassador of the club, but the whole league.

“I certainly think so. He knows the landscape better than most in the area,” he said.

“I think that will be beneficial for the whole competition, not just us. He, along with the rest of the NTFA, are keen to see Deloraine and Scottsdale improve and get themselves up to the standard required.

“But that’s going to take a couple of years there’s no doubt about that.”