Lauderdale defend recruiting drive after Thor Boscott announced as latest former player to return

Lauderdale have announced their latest signing for the final TSL season with the club also backing their strong off-season recruiting drive. See the details.

Thor Boscott is set to return to Lauderdale in 2024 after leaving the club for Cygnet at the end of the 2019 season. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Another favourite son is returning to Lauderdale for 2024 with the club steadfast it is recruiting within the TSL’s salary cap for the final year of the competition.

Former Cygnet premiership coach Thor Boscott was announced as the Bombers latest signing on Monday, joining Andrew Phillips and Mitch Robinson and former Kingborough tall Jordan Lane as high-profile names set to bolster the club’s line-up next season.

Former Lauderdale midfielder Thor Boscott was announced as the club’s latest recruit for 2024 on Monday. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

While many questions have been asked about how the club is fitting in so many star names under the $110,000 salary cap, including two former AFL players, club spokesman Michael Moore said the returns of three former Bombers was about more than money.

“At Lauderdale we’ve created a culture where former players want to return and with the signing of Andrew Phillips, it just snowballed with other former players wanting to be a part of the final year of the TSL,” Moore said.

Former AFL player Andrew Phillips was the first player to return to his former club for 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Mitch Robinson approached the club twice wanting to return – the first time the club didn’t take it seriously but Mitch was adamant he wanted to give something back to the club that gave him a start.

“Mitch will be paid less than a quarter what he could receive in other parts of the country.

“Andrew Phillips also started his career at Lauderdale and was an apprentice carpenter with current President Andrew Lyden before being drafted.

“That close relationship was crucial in ‘Flipper’ returning to Lauderdale despite being offered more money to sign with some other TSL clubs.

“Once someone plays at Lauderdale they are always a Lauderdale person no matter where their football might take them. We make no apologies for creating that welcoming culture.”

Robinson himself told The Mercury last week he wasn’t returning based on money while Lane said the chance to play with Phillips, Sam Siggins and coach Allen Christensen were major reasons why he chose Lauderdale over a return to the Tigers.

When contacted by The Mercury, AFL Tasmania Community Football Manager Tom Barwick said they would work with all TSL clubs to ensure player payments are in-line with the sustainability model that was introduced at the beginning of this season.

Lauderdale recruit Mitch Robinson confirmed to The Mercury last week he had signed on to play every home game next season. Picture: Supplied.

“Lauderdale has made a concerted effort to bring former players back to the club. We commend (president) Andy Lyden, (coach) Allen Christensen and the team for recruiting Andrew Phillips and Mitch Robinson back to their junior club after successful careers at the elite level,” Barwick said.

“All TSL clubs need to ensure player and coach payments are in-line with the competition’s Club Sustainability Model and Player Payments Scheme. AFL Tasmania will continue to work with all clubs in readiness for the 2024 season.”

While Robinson and Phillips would likely be among the Bombers highest paid players for next season regardless, the player payments scheme also includes the option of any TSL club having one marquee player on their books.

Former Matthew Ricahrdson Medalist Jordan Lane has also signed with Lauderdale for next season. Picture: Linda Higginson

Subject to the approval of the player payments’ board, marquee players may have up to 80 per cent of their payments exempt from the salary cap and are individuals who bring benefit and status to a club or competition on the basis of an elite level AFL playing history.

Boscott’s return to SkyBus Oval comes after two premierships and two Gorringe-Martyn medals during his time at Cygnet, the club he joined after leaving the Bombers at the end of 2019.

Playing in two of the Bombers three grand final losses between 2017 and 2019, Boscott returns to the club arguably a more complete player than when he left and will add even greater depth to Lauderdale’s midfield stocks.

The club also named its best and fairest on Saturday night with Alastair Lynch Medalist Sam Siggins winning the Mitch Robinson Medal and improved defender Tyler Martin finishing second.