Blues lock in dynamic duo in signing coup

Two of the NTFA’s most dangerous players have signed with Launceston, and chasing representative goals is a major factor behind their return to Windsor Park.

Archie Wilkinson has returned to Launceston after a three year stint at Hillwood. Picture: Launceston FC

A desire to play representative football after sustained NTFA dominance with Hillwood is the major factor behind goal machine Archie Wilkinson’s return to Launceston.

In one of the biggest signing coups of the off-season thus far, new Blues coach Jake Hinds has lured club juniors Wilkinson and Zac Morris back to Windsor Park for the inaugural NTFA Premier League.

Wilkinson has topped the NTFA premier division’s goal scoring the past two seasons, kicking 57 goals in 18 games this year.

AFL Tasmania has decreed players must feature in the premier league to be eligible for representative football.

Wilkinson and Morris, who joins the Blues after playing with Longford this year after SANFL and VFL stints, are the only non-North Launceston players in the northern-based representative squad thus far.

“It (rep footy) was probably the number one driving factor for me.,” Wilkinson said. “Obviously Launceston is my old club and that drives me back as well, but the fact the landscape is changing and you have to be at a premier league club to even be eligible for rep footy (was a big reason).

“That’s my goal, and to do that I have to give myself the chance at a premier league club.”

The 22-year-old said improving his belief under Sharks coach Jake Pearce was a huge reason for his form.

“A lot of it is due to confidence for me. My skills have always been OK but my coach at Hillwood gave me every opportunity to build on that confidence,” he said.

“He basically let me do whatever I want in a sense. I can’t thank him enough for that and it’s helped me grow as a footballer.”

Zach Morris in action for Longford earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

Morris, 21, showed why he was part of the Northern Bullants and Norwood programs with electric displays for Longford.

He played a mix of midfield and forward and his size and endurance was difficult for rivals to contain.

After a frustrating day individually in the grand final loss to South Launceston, Morris said a couple of meetings with Hinds convinced him to make the move.

“It was a pretty hard decision, playing at Longford I made some good connections there,” he said.

“But I had a few meetings with Jake on the vision of where the club wants to go, and how he wants to help me with my footy.

“It was a no-brainer really and they’ve got some other recruits back I’m pretty close to as well. He wants to help Archie and I with our state goals.

“I’m pretty close to Archie and it’s great to see him get some acknowledgment for how he’s going.

“Jake really wants to help me with that footy and whether that’s forward, in the middle or back, he’s pretty open to wherever I play.”

The Blues have been highly active in the market with former AFL player Jackson Thurlow and Jacob Boyd returning, along with Ryan and Jordan Shipp after a stint with Bridgenorth.

Angus Jefferies has joined Wilkinson in the move to Windsor Park and Hinds’ brother Jayden is also back in the fold.

Incumbent players Rocky Barron and Josiah Burling have signed with Perth Magpies.