Calls for more rep footy as NWFL continues dominance over NTFA

Calls are growing for more representative football to feature on next year’s calendar after the NWFL continued their dominance over NTFA at Devonport on Saturday.

NWFL celebrate with the trophy after accounting for NTFA at Devonport Oval on Saturday.

NTFA assistant coach Tom Reinmuth has urged officials to make representative football a more regular feature next season after the NWFL continued their dominant record at Devonport Oval on Saturday.

Looking to remain unbeaten in the fixture after recording five wins and a draw previously, the hosts booted six-goals-to-one in the first quarter to take control of the game.

A five-goals-to-two third term from NWFL put the result beyond doubt, before NTFA hit back strongly in the final quarter with three unanswered goals in a 12.12 (84) to 6.12 (48) defeat.

Reinmuth was proud of how the side battled on, with Jack Donnellan, Archie Wilkinson and Kyle Lanham all kicking two goals each for NTFA.

But he believes more representative fixtures, and embracing the concept fully like the NWFL does, is necessary for the NTFA to be competitive.

“Both the NTFA and NWFL would love to see it turn into an annual game,” he said.

“I think with the demise of the TSL (at the end of next season) regional footy, playing the SFL and north-west team once a year - with a state final post the grand final - would be a truly amazing thing for Tassie footy.

“There was a variety of reasons why NTFA didn’t have everyone available. There was a couple of injuries but moving forward once the TSL winds up, regional footy is the way forward to see the highest level of footy.

“I hope it’s on multiple occasions throughout the year, not a once a year thing.”

Reinmuth said they hope to build a culture within NTFA representative ranks where the best talent covets wearing the jumper.

“I think the north-west has every hand up to be available, and it’s not so much the NTFA at the moment,” he said.

“There’ll be guys who played today who will go back to clubland and speak highly of rep football.

“Hopefully it’s a good buy in and privilege for those who played today, but also the blokes who missed out and everyone puts their hand up.

“If we do do that, we’ll be a powerhouse for sure.”

Reinmuth said the NWFL were far more polished and clean with the football.

He said Jacob Singline, Jack Tuthill and Jacob Boyd were strong down back for NTFA, while ruckman Hamish Leedham was solid in the ruck.

Penguin’s Luke Russell won the Paddy Martin medal as the best on ground.

The NWFL also claimed the under-18s match 11.9 (75) to 5.6 (36).

NWFL 6.5 7.8 12.10 12.12 (84) def NTFA 1.2 2.7 3.8 6.12 (48)

Goals: NWFL - Jack Templeton 3, Kallum Kubicki 2, Bailey Boag, Keegan Lowe, Charlie Castles, Wyatt Kenny, Zac Marshall, Josh Wolfe, Dylan Smith; NTFA - Jack Donnellan 2, Archie Wilkinson 2, Kyle Lanham 2