AS FAR as defeats go, Rosebery Toorak Football Club’s mammoth loss to Sheffield last weekend was about as bad as a scoreline can get in a game of Australian Rules football.

It was the highest known score kicked by a Tasmanian team in a senior match since 1993, the fourth-highest ever and the largest score in the history of the North West Football Association.

Incredibly, it was equivalent to a goal being kicked every 80 seconds, factoring in the league’s 23-minute quarters without time on.

Club stalwarts agree it was their lowest ebb, in a season which has so far resulted in devastating losses of 266, 373, 288, 236, 310 and now 443 points.

But while their current situation is akin to a besieged boxer on the ropes, the club is not about to throw in the towel.

Club legend and games record holder Duncan Murfet, who this month played his 450th match for the Hawks, said the scoreline did not tell the full story about the club.

Murfet, also the club’s secretary, said spirit among the close-knit group of players did not dwindle regardless of the nature of the result.

They are motivated by their desire to have a kick with their mates at the weekend.

“In a way, it comes back to your attitude about life. If you have to win all the time and that’s your measure of success, then it would be dreadfully tough for them,’’ he said.

“But to their credit, and this is not a new thing, they go out and give their all and come off happy they have done their best.

“I remember a huge flogging at Forth one day, but the blokes got back on the bus and there was laughter and that sort of thing. They were comfortable in knowing they did their best.”

A changing population, the financial capability of rival clubs, and different shift patterns at the Rosebery mine are just some of the factors influencing the Hawks’ fortunes.

There are about 500 employees and contractors at the mine, which produces zinc, copper and lead, many of them working seven days on and seven off.

The club’s immediate priority is to ensure they can field a team for their away match on Saturday against Wesley Vale.

On Saturday at Sheffield, they had just 22 players available, meaning most had to double up and play both reserves and seniors matches.

“It’s the worst now that it has ever been,’’ Murfet said in reference to the player shortage.

“It’s probably been getting harder each week, culminating in the score on the weekend.

“In our club, there’s blokes that are solely playing to help the club out, so they are not huge on fitness, and therefore more likely to get injured.”

But it hasn’t always been this way.

Rewind to 1998 and 1999, when the club won back-to-back premierships and buses were filled with travelling supporters who wouldn’t miss the occasion.

“There was a huge amount of support,’’ Murfet said.

“The reason that the town was so behind it was that the vast majority of them were blokes that had grown up in Rosebery, and it was a real source of pride for the town.”

The Hawks are evidently now a long way from being in the position to replicate those glory days, but the club says wins and losses are not the be-all and end-all.

“Our measure of success is on how inclusive the club is and how much of a difference it makes to people’s lives ... as opposed to having to win a premiership to be successful,’’ Murfet said.

“There are a large number of blokes that are not going out because we’re going to win a game ... they’re going out because their mates want a game of football and they are keen to help out.

“There are young blokes that live in the town who wouldn’t go anywhere else to play. It’s about providing opportunities for these young kids.”

The Hawks’ home base at Rosebery Park Oval not only hosts the club’s matches, but also doubles as a space for community groups like the local bingo club to use.

The club also provides scholarships to young community members to encourage them to continue with their education.

“IT’S BEEN A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE”

JOE Sucic has been part of the football club in Rosebery since he was just five years old.

Rosebery-Toorak was formed in 1987 with the merger of the Toorak Tigers and Rosebery Saints to form the Rosebery Toorak Hawks, moving from the Western Tasmanian Football Association in 1989 to join the North West Football Association in 1990.

“The club means a lot to the town. It’s probably about the only sporting club left in the place,’’ said Sucic, the club’s president.

“It’s something for the young blokes to do.

“The players love it. It’s a chance for them to all get together and have a good time.”

Sucic said he held the club dear to his heart.

“I’ve been there since I was five years old,’’ he said.

“I’ve been in the town since I was born and only moved out five years ago ... played mini league, under-16s and through to seniors and reserves.

“It’s been a huge part of my life. During winter that was the social event of the township — footy during the day and socials at night.”

Sucic said a points system brought in by the North West Football Association aimed at equalising the competition had good intentions, but had not yet had a significant impact.

“As for a shortage of players, an influx of new projects down the West Coast would help if we could have new people coming into the township and bringing new players,’’ he said.

“Other than that, I think it’s going to be a long road.”

Sucic said shift work had changed in the town’s mine and a lot more workers were drive-in, drive-out and lived on the North West Coast.

“Other clubs are paying the sort of money we just can’t afford to pay people,’’ he said.

“We’ve lost a few young blokes to richer clubs.”

And he has this message for anyone considering dusting off their football boots.

“If anyone wants a game, come and see us,’’ he said.

“AMAZING RESILIENCE” AMID RECORD-BREAKING SCORE

SATURDAY’S incredible result saw records tumble, but it still didn’t break the mark for the highest-ever known score in Tasmanian football.

That occurred in the Oatlands District Football Association in 1993 when Woodsdale kicked 77.29.491 to Colebrook’s 0.1.1.

Also that year, scores of 449 and 447 were recorded in two separate Tasmanian competitions.

AFL Tasmania historian David Ingram sympathised with Rosebery-Toorak’s current plight.

“It can only really be the love of the game that can keep you going back,’’ he said.

“Small communities like Rosebery, they are really passionate about keeping footy alive and are trying to do whatever is necessary to keep the club functioning.

“It’s amazing resilience. They’ve won only one of their past 44 senior matches going back to 2017.”

Mr Ingram now lives in Perth, Western Australia, but has found a passion for statistics and records about all things related to Tasmanian football.

cameron.whiteley@news.com.au