AFL star, TSL flag winners headline new-look NTFA division one
North Tasmanian footy is set for its biggest overhaul in years, including a new-look division one stacked with star talent. We take a look at each team’s key ins and outs, and speak to every coach before round one this Saturday.
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The new-look NTFA division one competition gets underway on Saturday, with plenty of new teams and new recruits on display. We take a look at how all nine teams are shaping up.
BRIDGENORTH
Last year: Lost premier division elimination final. Regular season - Fourth (11-5)
Coach: Oliver Cook
Captain: Billy Jack
Round one: Rocherlea (h)
The coach says: The Parrots have lost some handy players, mostly returning to Launceston after a season at the club. But they’ve targeted recruits to bolster areas they fell down in last year, and are confident the synergy will translate on field.
Josh Bosveld returns to region after a stint in Queensland with Maroochydore. He is a quick small forward who applies plenty of pressure, and can also pinch hit in the midfield and wing.
Key defender Sam Curtis is back after a year off, while runaway UTAS player of the year winner Marcus Watt will provide some class on the wing.
“The addition of players in areas of our game we lacked and has been really handy,” Cook said.
“We’ve lost some quality players, but a lot are midfield type players. Last year we played so many players out of position, this year we’ve got guys in positions which suit them and they can play a role for the team.
“People can look at it and say we’ve got eight or so gone,but the way we’ve moved the footy over pre season is the best I’ve seen since I’ve been here.
“I have no doubt we would have got to that point with the (previous) squad we had, but we had some guys go and it’s opened up opportunities for young guys with talent to play a role.”
Key ins: Sam Curtis (year off), Josh Bosveld (Maroochydore), Marcus Watt (UTAS)
Key outs: Jake Rice (Rocherlea), Jack Stedman (Old Launcestonians), Jayden Hinds, Dylan Farquhar, Jesse Price, Jake Hinds, Ryan Tyrrell, Ryan Shipp (all Launceston)
BRACKNELL
Last year: Sixth in premier division (5-11)
Coach: Josh Adams
Captain: Jack Dyer
Round one: Hillwood (h)
The coach says: Josh Adams returns to the Redlegs after previously coaching the side for three seasons, guiding them to a grand final in his last year in 2012.
On paper Bracknell looks poised to potentially be a big improver after finishing sixth in last year’s NTFA Premier League, winning five games.
They have recruited strongly, particularly around the ball with Launceston and Longford flag winner Jack Donnellan coming on board.
Josh Frankcombe, a multiple flag winner at Old Scotch including a best afield performance in last year’s division one grand final win over Lilydale, has joined as a playing assistant coach.
Fellow Old Scotch recruit Sam Luttrell also gives them a much-needed quality ruck option, while livewire young win Bailey Lowe (South Launceston) is tipped to make an impact.
“I’m pretty happy with where we’re at, to be honest,” Adams said.
“The blokes we’ve recruited have been fantastic, we’ve got a great bunch of leaders and some youth.
“We identified we needed to recruit through the midfield and really bolster our stocks up. We’ll be really strong across that line and we think we’re tracking pretty well.
“We’re going to play a different game style than we have the last few years. Since I’ve coached the game has changed, it’s going to take a bit of time.
“We’ll look to move the ball as quickly as we can. We’ve got some good forwards, so it’s important to get it in quickly.”
Key ins: Josh Frankcombe (Old Scotch), Sam Luttrell (Old Scotch), Bailey Lowe (South Launceston), Jack Donnellan (Longford)
Key outs: Oscar Mansell (North Launceston), Jake Williams (Perth), Finn Gutwein (Old Launcestonians)
GEORGE TOWN
Last year: Seventh in premier division (5-11)
Coaches: Adrian McHenry and Darcy Layh
Captain: Darcy Layh
Round one: Lilydale (a)
The coach says: Layh retains his captaincy from last year, but will also partner newcomer Adrian McHenry in a co-coaching role.
He said McHenry, formerly involved in the Devils and North Launceston programs has brought a quicker and more modern game style to the team.
Adrian has brought a whole new array of ideas to the club and a new game style. I’ve adapted to that and learned it as we’ve gone along with him,” Layh said.
“We’ve talked about what would work with the players we have. We’ve gone off the stuff Adrian knows from being a former Devils (assistant) coach and he was at North Launceston for a while, so he’s brought a more modernised game plan to our club.
“It’s a lot faster and not kick down the line, just to try and break teams open now.
“We’ve lost three or four key players to work commitments and other clubs because they couldn’t commit to two nights a week, but we’ve picked up three or four as well.
“We’ve got some young guys who have been at the club a while who get an opportunity, we’ve got a good young group who are keen to crack in.”
North-west recruit Joseph Doust is expected to add solidarity to the Saints’ key defensive posts.
Key ins: Joseph Doust (Smithton), Jayden McHenry, Caleb McHenry
Key outs: Zach Burt (Evandale), Sam Cooke (majority of season mainland)
HILLWOOD
Last year: Lost in semi finals of premier division. Regular season - Fifth (8-8)
Coach: Jake Pearce
Captain: Hamish Leedham
Round one: Bracknell (a)
The coach says: The Sharks have lost a handful of key players, in particular to Launceston as they chase higher opportunities, headlined by key forward Archie Wilkinson and defender Jacob Boyd.
Wilkinson topped the NTFA premier division’s goal kicking the past two seasons, while Boyd has been a consistent rock in the Sharks backline.
“We’ve lost a key forward and a key back which makes it harder. We’ve had to structure our game up a little differently,” Pearce said.
“It’s not as simple as losing a key forward and picking another up. Archie was probably the best forward in the league the last couple of years.
“We’ve changed the way we move the footy a little bit, and hopefully the boys can have confidence doing it.”
“It (new-look league) can freshen thing up a bit. You’re playing at different grounds and against different teams. I think they’ve structured our league pretty well and I’m excited.
Key ins: Jordan Bennett (South Launceston) Jaidyn Harris (Longford), Dylan Axton, Logan Payne (North Launceston)
Key outs: Archie Wilkinson, Jacob Boyd, Angus Jefferies, Alex Blackaby (Launceston)
LILYDALE
Last year: Lost division one grand final. Regular season - Second (15-1)
Coach: Corey Lockett
Captain: Louis Venn
Round one: George Town (h)
The coach says: The Demons have been boosted by the return of club junior Jay Lockhart, who played 22 AFL games for Melbourne before making his mark at VFL level with Southport.
Lockhart will remain based on the mainland but will play a minimum of eight games and will also be an assistant coach.
The Demons have consistently been a top side in the previous structure, building a 15-1 record before falling to Old Scotch in last year’s division one grand final.
Lockett said they’re excited about the new challenge as he prepares for his third season in charge.
“We play four of the four premier league sides from last year in the first four weeks,” he said.
“Our goal is to set ourselves for that first month and know how it’s going to look from there.
“It helps the onfield excitement but you get more crowds through your gates, crowds you haven’t had at the ground as well with different teams.
“There might be weeks we’re out of our depth, but that makes us get better.”
Key ins: Jay Lockhart (Southport VFL), Ty Ponting (returning year off), Jarrod Foale (returning year off)
Key outs: Sam Lockett (East Sunbury), Luke Walsh (St Pats)
OLD LAUNCESTONIANS
Last year: Lost division one elimination final. Regular season - Fifth (10-6)
Coach: Laine Cleaver
Captain: Matthew Spohn
Round one: Bye (Bridgenorth away in round two)
The coach says: The club is looking to build their connection with Launceston Grammar, and have brought in a number of youngsters who study there. Mainland recruit Lachlan Holmes is tipped to be a strong addition to the midfield.
“It’s all a big unknown with the competition changes,” Cleaver said.
“If you look at clubs as they were last year we’re well down the pecking order, but there’s been lots of player movement.
Rocherlea has kept their core and have always been strong. Bracknell has also recruited well and they’ll be the top two teams I believe.
“We’re not going to be overly tall, we’ll play a running and attacking style of game.
“When I look at my round one team half of them are new so it’s going to take a while, but once we get used to each other we think we can put together some strong performances.”
Key ins: Jack Stedman (Bridgenorth), Finn Gutwein (Bracknell), Luka Whitcombe, Lachlan Rowlands, Will Bennett (all from South Launceston), Shaun James (year off), Jake George (Hillwood), Lachlan Holmes (mainland)
Key outs: Luke Wheldon (Rocherlea), Mitchell Cheesman (Victoria)
OLD SCOTCH COLLEGIANS
Last year: Won division one premiership. Regular season: First (15-1)
Coach: Fletcher Seymour
Captains: John McKenzie and Charlie Eastoe
Round one: St Patricks (a)
The coach says: Fletcher Seymour takes over as head coach after two seasons as assistant, both of which resulted in flags for Old Scotch. Seymour was also named player of the match in the 2023 grand final and has won five straight premierships after also featuring in Launceston’s TSL ‘three peat’ from 2020-22.
The club has lost a handful of key players and Seymour is embracing the challenge of going from the hunter to the hunted this season.
“I’m really enjoying it, it’s nice to see some younger players grow and improve,” he said.
“I’ve been pretty lucky the last five years have all resulted in lifting the cup up. It will actually be nice to drop back to the pack and compete each week, not knowing what’s going to happen each game.
“The level that we play, first and foremost it has to be enjoyable, and a good way to make it enjoyable is by winning. We’ll be going in with a competitive mindset but fun will also be at the forefront of what we do this season.
“The standard of our league is lifting considerably, whenever standards are going up that’s ultimately a good thing.”
Key ins: Casey Young (returning from Victoria), Lachie Gee (returning from Victoria), Will Birchmore (back from year off)
Key outs: Josh Frankcombe (Bracknell), Aiden Jackman (Clarence), Sam Luttrell (Bracknell), Jack Colgrave (North Hobart),
ROCHERLEA
Last year: Lost premier division preliminary final. Regular season: Second (13-3)
Coach: Luke Richards
Captain: Jacob Hawkins
Round one: Bridgenorth (a)
The coach says: Luke Richards takes the helm after Josh Ponting’s successful tenure, which includes the 2023 premiership. The Tigers are tipped by most rivals to be the benchmark this year particularly given their stable and deep list.
They haven’t had any key players leave the club and have bolstered an already strong squad with quality additions.
“We lost South Launceston and Longford who have been our challengers the past few years, but we get some new ones now,” Richards said.
“Towards the back end of last year I tore my calf and spent six or seven weeks helping Josh out (as an assistant).
“It (head coaching) has come earlier than expected, but I’ve had a lot of support and it’s a no brainer really.
“It’s always handy when you don’t lose anyone and pick a couple up.”
Key ins: Corey Nankervis (George Town), Jake Rice (Bridgenorth), Luke Wheldon (Old Launcestonians)
Key outs: N/A
ST PATRICKS
Last year: Seventh in division one (3-1-12)
Coach: Alex Russell
Captains: Liam Brown and Jacob Perkins
Round one: Old Scotch (h)
The coach says: The Saints won just three games last season but have recruited well, headlined by the addition of multiple Launceston TSL flag winners Dylan Riley and Jobi Harper, while Jake Kilby bolsters their ruck stocks.
Former best and fairest and leading goalkicker Jake King also returns to the fold.
Russell, who co-coached St Pats to the 2022 premiership, returns after being an assistant under Mitch Thorp at Launceston last year.
“It’s good to be back, you do realise you miss it. I spent last year coaching TSL as an assistant with Launceston.
“Being under Mitch Thorp a lot of my career it helps a lot with my coaching, it got me back into wanting to do it this year.
“It’s a great unknown, there’s five or six teams we’ve never played.
“We’re more bullish than people are externally, we’ve recruited really well.
“Our crop of 18 and 19 year olds, we’re looking at playing six or seven of those in our senior team this week.
“That part of the club is working really well, adding people like Jobi and Dylan, Jake King, Jake Kilby, guys who have played a lot of footy, we can fast track them to be senior footballers a lot quicker.
“We don’t want to be relevant for two years and be nowhere to be seen. We want to get some stability and maintain our position in this league, if not go up.”
Key ins: Dylan Riley (Launceston), Jobi Harper (Launceston) Jake King (year off), Luke Walsh (Lilydale), Cooper Shady (Launceston)
Key outs: Brodie Vocke
NTFA DIVISION ONE
Round one, Saturday
Lilydale v George Town at Lilydale Rec Ground (2pm); Bridgenorth v Rocherlea at Bridgenorth Rec Ground (2pm); Bracknell v Hillwood at Bracknell Rec Ground (2pm); St Pats v Old Scotch at Prospect Park (2.30pm); Bye - Old Launcestonians
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