NTFA: Struggling Lions issue public plea for help

University of Tasmania Lions may be battling on the field, but they’ve made some suggestions on how the footy community can help. Read what the club had to say here.

The University of Tasmania Lions have issued a public plea for more players to join the struggling club.

The struggling University of Tasmania Lions believe tweaking salary cap rules so they can pursue a star player can help them, after launching a public plea for new players to navigate their current crisis.

University was hammered 280-0 by East Coast on Saturday, and will hold urgent talks at a committee meeting on Tuesday night to discuss avenues to improve the club’s fortunes next year.

The Lions’ smallest defeat this year is a whopping 179 points in NTFA’s division two, and their percentage is a paltry 1.94.

They aren’t the only club to be on the receiving end of weekly beltings as the state navigates huge structural changes, especially in the north.

The club posted a message on on Facebook on Monday night, which they urged everyone to share, stating: “It’s not a secret we’re a struggling local club. We have a great group of players, but unfortunately we’ve had a lot of injuries already this season.

“We would love some new faces at the club, so come along for a training session!”

Club president Alan Perrin believes more leniency with the salary cap, where they could offer a player or players more than the current limit per player but not exceed the current total cap, should be considered.

“We’re in discussions with the league, and we have a committee meeting tonight (Tuesday) to look at other directions we can go to to try and bolster our stocks,” Perrin said.

“As a club we’ve been really strong in saying the salary cap, which we support, should not be limited to what a player gets paid.

“Let’s say for example we want an ex-AFL player come and play. Technically we get the points that go with it, and in our case you’re limited to $400 per game.

“We’ve been very strong since they introduced the salary cap that we’ll stick to the maximum limit, but let us spend it how we see fit.

“If it means bringing a player that costs us more, we have that choice.”

As a club under the university’s banner, the team is obligated to consist of at least 50 per cent university students.

But most of those are from the mainland and are often out of town during holidays. The club also doesn’t enjoy the long family-based historical ties other clubs have to attract players.

“We are dependent very heavily on uni students who aren’t local, because the local ones are already playing for other clubs,” Perrin said.

“When an interstater comes here our aim is to get them in our side, but when holidays come they don’t hang around.

“When Rocherlea won their last premiership (2023), something like 18 of them had their fathers or grandfathers play for the club.

“We need local recruits to be in our club as well, and hopefully their families in years to come will emulate the likes of Rocherlea.

“One player spoke to last summer, we offered him top dollar because he was coming from the premier league. I’m led to believe he got offered over twice what we were prepared to pay him, and that puts you out of the ball park altogether.”

Lions coach David Manktelow said it’s up to the association and clubs as a whole to rally together to help struggling teams.

He backed Perrin’s thoughts on more flexible options on how to allocate their salary cap.

“I’m like a done with a bone with that,” he said.

“I think the other presidents would be on board and it wouldn’t be about increasing the salary cap for us, it’s just giving us a bit of leeway to entice players.

“At the moment it (player payment average) is about $350, but why would you come here for that when you can go to somewhere like Perth for $350 and potentially be in finals.

“There’s other options (to attract players), with players not getting a game (at other clubs). “One thing I know talking to other clubs and coaches, they want a competitive competition and they don’t want teams to fold, either.

“We’ve got to be open to ideas about getting better and helping each other. I think we can solve it, but I think we’re maybe a bit insular at the moment and we’re not thinking outside the box how we can help each other.”

Manktelow is also hopeful solutions can be found on how to better police the salary cap.

“I understand it’s tough (to police), but in my opinion because it’s tough we put it in the too hard basket. Having something is better than nothing,” he said.

“Unfortunately it might be one club that takes a minor hit for the competition. As soon as you do that it’ll bring everyone, into line, but we just don't’ do that at the moment.

“I don’t have the solution, but I firmly believe we shouldn’t put it in the too hard basket.”

Perrin and Manktelow both suggested a possible permit system where players struggling for a regular game at stronger clubs could play a couple of games for the Lions.

“If you’re in a club now and you’re only getting a game every three or four weeks, you’ll get a game with us every week,” Perrin said.

“It would be nice to think outside the box a little bit. If the association would allow clubs who have excess players to get a permit to play one or two weekends with clubs that are struggling (it would help). And there are other clubs who are struggling.”

Perrin said they’re in talks with the university about ways to make the club more attractive to recruits, including reduced fees to use the campus gym.

Despite a lack of wins spanning a few years, Perrin said they would never consider going into recess, but knows they need to start working towards next year immediately.

“I know quite a few clubs have gone into recess and never reformed,” he said.

“What I’ll be saying tonight (at Tuesday’s committee meeting) is we have to start now seriously thinking about next year, and how to be competitive.

“Football is about participation, it’s the greatest code of football in the world in my humble opinion.

“It’s not just about winning, it’s about participating. Having people play, we’ve got a far better society and community when people are playing team sports.”