After the longest ‘pre-season’ in the history of the game, Tasmanian footy is back
It’s been 292 days since Tassie footy fans smelled a sausage, sav or pie at an oval – but football is back this weekend with two competitions breaking out the Sherrins ready for action. Here’s why you should get along to the footy >>
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IT HAS been 292 days since Tasmanian footy fans sniffed sausages searing, savs boiling, pies warming and indulged in the age-old tradition of telling the umpires how to do their job.
That ends this weekend when the Tasmanian State League resumes, along with the Hobart-based Old Scholars as the only two footy competitions starting up in the state this early, and for many the wait was interminable.
Players are calling it the longest pre-season in the history of the game.
For footy fans, it is time to break out the puffer jacket, gloves, beanie if you don’t get hat hair, and get along to watch Tasmania’s best football players ply their trade in the state’s best competition _ the TSL.
On offer today is a clash between Eastern Shore “enemies” Lauderdale and Clarence at Lauderdale Oval (2pm), northern suburbs powerhouse Glenorchy against northern Tasmanian power Launceston at KGV (1pm), and reigning premier North Launceston at home to North Hobart at UTas Stadium (2.30pm).
Football has come full circle for Tassie talent Josh Green, who started at Clarence, was drafted into the AFL where he played 105 games and booted 132 goals at Brisbane and Essendon before returning to Clarence this year.
Even though he will miss the opening game after having surgery on a broken nose, Green said the TSL was a great product.
“It means a lot to me because it gave me that leg-up and got me looked at by AFL clubs, and I had success early on at Clarence with the two premierships,” Green said.
“That was one of the drivers for coming home _ to get back and help out and do whatever I can to help the league and Clarence.”
Only 500 people in total are allowed at outdoor gatherings in Tasmania under our stage three restrictions.
For every football competition around the state, players, support staff, umpires and officials are included in the count before the general public is allowed through the gate, and quarter-time huddles cannot be approached and there’s no kicking the footy on the field at halftime.
“It has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone and I think it has provided an opportunity to reflect and appreciate what we all probably took for granted,” said AFL Tasmania CEO Trish Squires.
“Like many Tasmanians, I have missed football and I am so excited to return to local footy this weekend.
“For a long time it seemed unlikely that we would be able to go to TSL football this year and it is amazing that it returns this weekend and I encourage people to go out, follow the protocols and be safe but enjoy being back at the footy.
“I think at the elite level we have seen the value of fans and what they mean to our game and it is going to be fantastic to recapture that local football atmosphere and energy again.
“It has been an incredibly difficult time for clubs so I encourage everyone to get behind their teams and support them through this season.
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“It is brilliant that we are all able to get out to our local grounds and support our teams and we should not take for granted that we are able to go and see the state’s best player.
“It is great to get TSL back this week and Cripps TSLW from next week and I think it is fantastic to have both leagues together on a Saturday more often, this season. I think even with the interrupted pre-season we are in for an exciting season and with less games, every game has that little bit more riding on it.”
Footy is expected to give the community a lift.
“It has been doom and gloom, everyone has been in lockdown and they’re looking forward to getting out again,” said North Hobart coach Richard Robinson.
“It’s like anything – you have it taken away from you, you want it even more.
“I know the players are looking forward to it, and I’m sure the supporters are as well.”
Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy said players and fans were champing at the bit for footy.
“It has been the longest wait for the season and it has happened all in a rush,” Kennedy said.
“Most of us were thinking late July or early August for the start, and then that became July 18 and all of a sudden July 11.
“We had two weeks’ notice that we were on, but it has been great and I know the players are ready and the supporters are ready as well.”
At Lauderdale, coach Darren Winter cannot wait for some “normality”.
“Having footy will return a little bit of normality to our lives and if footy can open up the door for people to get out and enjoy something that will be a big kick-along for everyone,” he said.
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