Player drain feared as Lauderdale coach backs State League

Lauderdale coach Allen Christensen has used developments Launceston-based TSL clubs won’t sign up for the NTFA premier league as a chance to throw his support behind the State League.

Lauderdale coach Allen Christensen is a supporter of the state league. Picture: Linda Higginson

Lauderdale coach Allen Christensen sympathises with the plight of their Launceston-based rivals, and agrees the TSL’s demise could result in the state’s best players leaving for better opportunities.

North Launceston and Launceston have refused to sign affiliation agreements to be part of a mooted six-team NTFA Premier League, and are keen to investigate the merits of an NTFL-style league involving the north west’s best clubs.

Asked what he thought of the suggested breakaway competition, Christensen took the chance to back the state league, which will disband after this season.

“I’m a big supporter of the state league. I think it’s important not only for players, but coaches as well to be able to keep developing in a way that reflects high performance. I don’t know if regional footy presents that,” he said.

“I agree with them in a way that you’ll find players and coaches will leave the state to go find better opportunities in state league programs around the country.

“It is what it is, because there’s not going to be that many jobs and many player able to play Devils and VFL footy, and on AFL lists as well.”

Bombers first year heach coach Adrian Smith concurred that the lure of quality mainland state leagues could be hard to ignore for his best players.

“The challenge for us next year is we’ve got players who could quite easily play in the SANFL or VFL, a higher level,” he said.

“Do they want to stay and continue to participate in a competition that perhaps isn’t as strong?

“If all goes to plan and we win a TSL flag this year it’s effectively the best team in the state. To drop themselves a standard or two, it’s going to be interesting.”

Smith feels a greater northern competition would have merit as it would enable the best clubs to play each other.

North Launceston coach Adrian Smith addresses the Bombers at Lauderdale Oval last week. Picture Linda Higginson Solstice/Digital

However, Head of Tasmania Damian Gill said on Thursday north-west clubs had been sounded out if they had interest, but there was “no appetite”.

“If there isn’t a statewide comp to play with, a northern comp would at least facilitate a high standard of competition, and would probably support juniors if there was an equivalent junior comp,” Smith said.

“The key for me is whatever we decide, there needs to be a strong junior pathway to support the model, so our best kids have the opportunity to play the best kids.

“We’re trying to create elite pathways for our kids to play at the highest level, and we probably haven’t got the competition structure collectively right yet to support the juniors to feed into seniors.

“Whatever we end up doing, it needs to really consider the junior pathway that feeds into that.”

The Bombers have a number of high rated north west-based Devils playing for them this year, and the likes of Heath Ollington (VFL), Seth Campbell (Richmond) and Lachie Cowan (Carlton) have previously travelled to Launceston-based clubs to play TSL.

“The NTFL model, I don’t mind that because the Devils we’ve got could still be playing over there in a good comp,” Smith said.

“The feedback we got back from the Devils after round one was they didn’t realise how good the competition was, and that was after a big (162-point) win against Launceston.

“That wasn’t playing Lauderdale or Kingborough, that standard is even better. For them it was exciting because they got to play at a level that’s fast and competitive.”