TSL season will start next month but players will not get match payments
The Tasmanian State League season has officially been locked in but the seven clubs’ signed agreements with AFL Tasmania will sting players. DETAILS >>
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THE delayed TSL season will kick off on July 18 and players have been told they will not get a cent for their efforts while umpires will be paid, albeit at a reduced rate.
The seven State League clubs have signed their agreements, slogged out on two video conference calls last week, allowing AFL Tasmania to make the announcement.
“The impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented on our industry and it is nice to have some good news to share,” said AFL Tasmania CEO Trish Squires.
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The downsized season will run for 14 weeks — 12 weeks of home-and-away games and two weeks of finals.
The details of the roster are yet to be announced but it is believed a top four will play a knock-out finals series, in which first plays fourth and second plays third in week one, and the winners advancing to a Sunday grand final on October 18.
The TSLW season will run along a similar timeline.
Squires said the State League season was “subject to government approval”.
“The fixture will be developed in detail over the coming weeks with aims for clubs to play each other twice in the senior TSL home-and-away season before a two-week finals series,” she said.
“All plans and fixturing for TSL and TSLW are yet to be finalised and are strictly subject to State Government and Public Health advice.”
It is great news for the players, but tinged by a caveat.
“Players from all seven clubs will not be receiving player payments, and umpires will be performing duties on reduced payments, in order for a season to take place,” Squires said.
“It is going to look different to regular seasons and we may see some innovation to see the season played but I think everyone is just excited to play now.”
AFL Tasmania will release further details on the 2020 TSL and TSLW seasons in the coming weeks.
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