‘Courageous, fearless’: Outgoing president lauded as Bombers stars mull futures

Outgoing North Launceston president Thane Brady has been hailed as “courageous and “fearless” by their coach, who fears changes to Tasmanian football will force their premiership team to go their separate ways.

Outgoing North Launceston president Thane Brady and coach Adrian Smith celebrate the TSL grand final win over Lauderdale. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

North Launceston coach Adrian Smith has branded outgoing president Thane Brady as “courageous and fearless”, and backed his belief the transition to the NTFA Premier League is “ripping the fabric out of our footy club”.

The dissolution of the TSL after the Bombers claimed the last flag this month means up to half of their squad could seek a higher standard of football in mainland state leagues.

Brady has been a fierce advocate against the changes, which affects the north region far more than the north-west and south.

He was unavailable for comment on Wednesday due to work commitments.

Smith was the Bombers’ development league coach in 2012, around the time when Brady took over.

He appointed Zane Littlejohn as coach with Paul Holmes his right hand man, when the club was looking to overhaul its culture. Littlejohn guided the club to its first flags since 1998 in 2014-15.

Asked to sum up Brady’s legacy, Smith said: “He’s been fearless and courageous, he’s been that guiding influence for all of us from day dot.

“He’s the guy who will give you a clip around the ear when you need it, but be that positive and strong advocate.

“Our football club’s success is ultimately driven by him and that’s his legacy at the end of the day. The six flags, his leadership has set us up for long term success.”

Brady has no interest in leading the club into a league he does not support, with his successor yet to be confirmed.

“What Thane’s done really well is he’s a strong advocate for what he feels gives the best opportunities for young people in our state,” Smith said.

“He’s been strong in the fight to get the best competition available. But for every good leader, there comes a time when it’s time to do something different. It’s time for a fresh change as we transition into something different.

Outgoing North Launceston president Thane Brady. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“It does take an emotional toll, the club will be forever indebted to his leadership and courage to create a legacy.”

Smith said Brady was unafraid to voice strong opinions to drive his passion for giving young players the best opportunities.

“He’s fought long and hard for the TSL or a higher standard competition, and in doing that along the way you do burn some bridges and fracture some relationships,” Smith said.

“As you transition, I suppose your footy club needs to make sure it has positive relationships and he’s probably fought that battle.”

Smith is yet to resolve his future after steering the Bombers through an unbeaten season in his first year in charge.

He has publicly expressed his desire to pursue opportunities in the Devils academy programs. But given his investment in the current Bombers squad, what the players decide to do will be a big factor in whether he continues.

“This group knows it’s a special group. If there was a TSL again I would 100 per cent guarantee that 95 per cent of them would be there next year,” Smith said.

“The majority of them have a real strong connection (with each other), and it’s a shame we have to lose that.

“I think Thane summed it up pretty well. This transition is ripping the fabric out of our footy club, with what we’ve built over the last two or three years with this group.

“They’ve just started something with success and they weren’t going anywhere, but it’s a shame we con’t have a competition for them to continue to progress by playing the best players in the state.

“Hopefully the majority of our players still commit, and we can roll ahead into next year and transition into VFL in 2026, but it’s an awkward time because there’s so much uncertainty.

“We support the players’ ability to reach the highest level they can, and if it doesn’t work out they’re welcome to come home.

“We’ve got some really talented players who are at the peak of their football journeys, and it is a shame community football probably isn’t going to provide the standard they need at the moment to keep challenging themselves, and progress their footy.”