Tasmanian footy team ends near 2500-day losing streak

A Tasmanian footy club has broken through for its first win since 2018 in remarkable circumstances. This is their story of years in recess and returning to Saturday’s triumph.

Circular Head players belt out the team song after breaking their near seven year win drought on Saturday. Picture: Circular Head Facebook

“It was like winning a grand final.”

After Circular Head snapped a winless drought spanning almost 2500 days on Saturday, that’s how the Saints’ coach and president summed up a historic day.

Supporters packed their Smithton dressing room like sardines as the players belted out the team song like they’d won a flag after the 21.12 to 7.7 (49) NWFL first round win over East Devonport.

The senior men’s side last won in round 16, 2018 when they beat Penguin by a goal.

The club went into recess for the next three seasons, and hadn’t registered a victory since returning in 2022.

Circular Head Saints.

After winning flags with North Launceston in 2019 and Longford in 2022, Liam Davies took over as coach this year.

He couldn’t have imagined his first win on debut would be so momentous.

“I was blown away by the amount of people in the club rooms after the game, it was crazy,” Davies said.

“It was about the hardest change room to get into, and it was just a regular home game. It’s really good for the community.

“We spoke about it pre game that only four players in the team played in the last win.

“A lot of boys have stuck fat since coming out of recess and to get that first win was like a grand final for us, it was amazing.”

Club president Grant Jackson said the result was reward for hard work for everyone involved the past six years.

“All the local guys who have been here a few years were very excited, and even the new guys,” he said.

“I reckon there was 100 or more people in the change room in the game. There was more outside than inside, trying to get in.

“Everyone’s enthusiastic and the people of Circular Head are starting to come out and watch their footy, which is nice.”

New Circular Head coach Liam Davies. Picture: Circular Head Saints

Davies said he joined the club craving a new challenge after growing stale with his football.

“I was pretty nervous coming in because I didn’t know what to expect, but the boys really bought into the program I was trying to deliver,” he said.

“They respected me as a player and respect me as a coach now, which is really good.

“I just thought I needed a challenge. I was probably getting complacent with my footy so it’s brought a new excitement to me personally, to know players are learning off you.

“I’m a school teacher and it’s rewarding seeing that in school kids, but seeing that in adult men buying into your instructions and how you want to play and structure up (is great).”

Matt Elliott, Jaiden Crole, Tom Charles and Damien Barker were the only players who featured in Saturday’s win that played in their last victory in 2018.

“The club was buzzing (after the game), there was so many people from the community here. It meant so much not just to the football club, but the wider community,” Davies said.

“We’re hoping playing good footy will bring them back. If we’re not playing good footy, they’re not going to come and watch.

“If we win games we get more crowd involvement and excitement among the team.”

A major reason behind the club’s improvement has been the recruitment of five players from Melbourne.

Jok Niop, Yor Nyanjok, Buom Koang and Biar Biar have South Sudanese heritage and their athleticism has captivated Saints fans, while Joshua Mohammed kicked a goal on debut.

“The Melbourne fellas have been awesome, not just the football club but the community,” Davies said.

“We’ve got kids watching the footy and taking photos with them like they’re AFL superstars.

“Yor and BK (Koang) in our forward line, they do celebrations after they kick goals or take big marks.

“They’ve bought in, it’s like they’ve been here their whole lives as soon as they came across. “They jelled nicely with the group and they’re eager to learn as well. They’ve started pretty well and they’ll continue to grow as the season progresses.

Circular Head captain Brae Gardner (middle) with vice captains Tommy Charles and Cameron Johns. Picture: Circular Head Saints

“They’ve probably gone unnoticed in the leagues over there (Melbourne). Coming across here playing in a premier league, there’s a live stream and a better chance of getting noticed, especially with Tassie coming into the VFL.

“They want chance to press their claim for it and they’ve started pretty well. They’ve been training with the Devils over pre season and loved it, it’s driving them to bring their game up to another level.”

Forward Cameron Johns is available for the full season after playing nine games last year. He booted nine goals in Saturday’s win.

“I just had a feeling he was in for a day. He only played nine games last year and I thought he was ready to explode,” Davies said.

Jackson said the club has benefited from Davies’ experience at successful clubs.

“He played some years at North Launnie and had some really good coaching there,” he said.

“He learned a lot, and a lot of the way he coaches is how he was taught from there, which brings TSL level coaching acumen into the club.

“On top of that, he’s a really good player.”