Tensions rise between SFL and the NTFA camps ahead of their Tri-Series decider at North Hobart Oval

SFL coach Richard Robinson has delivered a verbal coat-hanger to his northern counterpart ahead of the football Tri-Series decider at North Hobart Oval on Saturday. What was said.

Sam Siggins is back for Tri-Series decider against the NTFA. Picture Linda Higginson Solstice Digital

A war of words has erupted between coaches ahead of the SFL and NTFA’s Tasmanian representative series decider at North Hobart Oval on Saturday with southern coach Richard Robinson telling his northern counterpart to “butt out” of his business.

NTFA coach Adrian Smith fired the first shot on Monday when he said southern stars like Sam Siggins, Andrew Phillips and Josh Green were “picky” about when they wanted to represent their region.

SFL coach Richard Robinson and representative player Cam Hooker. Picture AFL Tasmania

The trio was unavailable for the SFL’s win over the NWFL in Penguin two weeks ago, which did not go unnoticed by Smith, North Launceston’s TSL premiership coach.

“They didn’t want to travel and play up the North-West the other week, so it will be an interesting team balance for them to see if they can get that right,” Smith said.

“There’s a bit of picking and choosing when they will play _ who’s available for one game and who’s available for the next _ but that’s up to them to get it right.”

Andrew Phillips will come back in for the SFL’s clash with the NTFA. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

With final training and team selection to come for the SFL on Thursday night, Robinson said Smith’s assessment was off the mark.

“It has been a really big year for representative footy,” Robinson said.

“There have been a lot of games _ five state games in total plus the Tri-Series.

“Our boys have been playing footy every week _ they haven’t had a rest for the bye because they’ve been playing state football or representative football.

“Sometimes these players, who have a wife and young family, need to spend time with them and if he [Smith] doesn’t agree with that then his values might be different to mine.”

Robinson would prefer the attention to be on the blockbuster showdown.

“We should be focusing more on the matchups on the field than things off the field,” he said.

“You are going to see the best players in the state going at it this weekend.

“We should be focused on the game and the players, rather than comments from a coach who is not even involved with our side.”

The return of bigmen Siggins and Phillips, and goal-machine Green, for the “grand final” will be a confidence booster for the SFL team.

“One of our core values over the past five weeks has been education,” Robinson said.

“Imagine young Max Geappen speaking to Sam Siggins about how he prepares for a game, how good is that because they wouldn’t normally get that type of exposure.

“I don’t think having them back will just make them walk a bit taller.

“This game is the end of what we feel has been a great five-week program and if these boys walk away better footballers than they were when they came in, then it’s job done for us.”