Andy Bennett out for retirement to “captain” TSL footy

A Tasmanian footy star who played AFL, SANFL, Statewide League and represented the state has come out of retirement to head the TSL.

• Tassie teen Jackson Callow takes his game to new heights at Hawthorn
• Mitch Thorp says upcoming clash with VFL Kangaroos a big test for TSL’s reigning champion

A BLAST from the past has been tasked with taking the TSL into the future, with AFL Tasmania appointing former footy great Andy Bennett as manager of the TSL.

Bennett’s priority will be to speak to competitions at all levels to gauge a future direction for football, and to guide the evolution of the state’s top competition.

“AB” came out of retirement as principal at Sorell High after 35 years in the education department.

The 65-year-old is as keen to sink his teeth into the TSL role as he was as a star player with South Adelaide, Hawthorn, St Kilda, captain-coach of Sandy, coach of North Hobart, state ruckman and William Leitch Medal winner in his Statewide League debut year in 1986.

New TSL general manager Andy Bennett. Picture: Solstice Digital

AFL Tasmania chief Damian Gill said Bennett’s appointment was “incredibly exciting”.

“Andy embodies what we want AFL Tasmania to stand for,” Gill said.

“He has got a really deep footy history, his footy resume is unparalleled and he’s hit the ground running already talking to people in the football community.

SANFL Football - Port Adelaide vs South Adelaide Grand Final match at Football Park, West Lakes, 30 Sep 1979. (L-r) Port's Greg Phillips and Robert Dolan complete with South's Andy Bennett. (Pic by unidentified staff photographer)

“I think this is the most popular thing AFL Tasmania has done in a long time.”

Bennett will take the time to listen to the football community before implementing changes, particularly to the TSL.

“I won’t change anything by myself, that’s for sure,” Bennett said.

“My first priority is to deeply understand where the game is now, look at the data, and out of that will emerge possibilities, opportunities and challenges and we will plan around that.”