Clubs wary as speculation mounts on TSL’s future

STATE League clubs are furious at speculation that the TSL could be scrapped as a result of the AFL’s review of local football.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and AFL Tasmania CEO Trish Squires. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

STATE League clubs are furious at speculation that the TSL could be scrapped as a result of the AFL’s review of local football.

The scalp could come in favour of the Tassie Mariners joining the TAC Cup full-time and the creation of a Tasmanian team in the VFL or NEAFL.

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Glenorchy president John McCann said the TSL was critical to the talent pathway inside the state and that it would be a mistake to scrap it.

The seven club presidents have individual meetings next week with AFL Tasmania CEO Trisha Squires, who is a member of the AFL’s steering committee formed to analyse the problems permeating the game across the state.

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Chaired by AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, the panel includes Tasmanian trio Chris Fagan (coach of Brisbane Lions), Nick Riewoldt (former St Kilda captain), and Brendon Bolton (Carlton coach), along with AFL head of game development Rob Auld and AFL state league manager Simon Laughton — consulting with the AFL’s strategy team and the State Government.

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McCann is concerned the panel does not include any locals familiar with day-to-day issues facing clubs.

“We need experienced people from TSL clubs involved in this review to contribute to it and give a clear picture on what’s happening on the ground right now,” he said.

“It’s OK to have a group of people who are proven football theorists, academics and professionals.

“But it is a very important element to help our clubs survive and thrive and do the best in our local communities to develop our own talent. It is a very important part of the picture that needs to be factored in.”

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There is also speculation that:

THE TASSIE Mariners will go full-time into the Victorian-based TAC Cup under-18 competition.

A TASMANIAN team will be formed to play in either the VFL or NEAFL.

THE STATE League will be disbanded.

THE SEVEN TSL teams will go into regional competitions — one in the North and one in the South.

An AFL spokesman told the Mercury: “We want to be clear no decisions have been made on any potential restructure of talent pathways or competitions. The committee is working through many options with a due date of June 30.”

McCann said it was very important that the State League was retained.

“We’ve got very good teams and very good players involved in the State League and any talent pathway should be combined with the clubs and TSL.”