Coach tracker: Hall of Famer to take charge at Scottsdale
Scottsdale has appointed an AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame member to lead them into the NTFA Premier League next year. Get the latest on the coaching merry-go-round in the state’s north here.
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Scottsdale believes Rickie Dolliver’s proven track record of nuturing young talent make him the idea candidate to lead the club into the NTFA Premier League, as well as open up a chance to recruit Canberra talent.
Dolliver, inducted into AFL Tasmania’s Hall of Fame last year, has signed with the Magpies for the next two years after a long tenure at Canberra club Belconnen.
Dolliver, who played nearly 400 games for a variety of different clubs in Tasmania’s north
He has spent recent years mentoring junior teams at Belconnen, which will be a vital aspect of his role at Scottsdale, as they look to close the sizeable gap between them and the former state league sides in the competition.
“I’ve been out of senior footy for a little while, but still have a lot of contacts in Tassie, Canberra where I am at the moment, and across the country,” Dolliver said.
“I’ve made numerous phone calls the last couple of weeks, and am certainly well on the way to announcing a few sigings in the next week or ten days.
“We’re under no illusions we’re going to be straight away competitive, it’s going to be a hard road the first few months but we’re certainly up for it.
“I’ve already got a lot o feelers out to lot of guys the past two weeks, and we’re really close to announcing a couple of signings already.
“We know we need probably six or seven players to be competitive in the comp. We’ve got a good group of eight or nine who will step into premier league and a few kids who are up to the level as well.
“I’ve already spoken to a few guys in Canberra and a couple in South Australia who have already signed there for the coming season, but are certainly interested in getting their services down here the year after.
“Plans aren’t just afoot for next season, but the season following.
Dolliver told the club he would be keen to accept the role after negotiations with a couple of playing coach candidates ended.
He nominated upgrading training and equipment facilities and improving the squad’s fitness as priorities.
The club looks set to allow Launceston-based players to train there earlier in the week, before the full squad trains at Scottsdale on Thursday.
“They’re not overly blessed with most of the modern stuff, but there’s scope to do it,” Dolliver said.
“We’ve oranised some equipment and apparatus changes, and the club is willing to help out where needed.
“Like most clubs we’re looking a ruckman who can play forward, a key forward and ideally a couple of gun midfielders with pace.
“They’re the highest priorities but certainly anyone else we can pick up we think can play at the level (we’ll take) .
“I’ve made numerous calls and we should be in a position to announce some signings in the next week to ten days.
“We’ll be playing an attacking style of footy. I know we’ve got some work to do fitness wise, but we’ll be attacking off halfback and hopefully get some attacking targets to give our opposition someting to worry about.”
Rickie is the father of Lauderdale coach Brent, whose son Jack also plays for the Bombers.
“There’s certainly already a connection in the competition, albeit at the other end of the state,” Dolliver said.
“I don’t know if there’s been too many situtions where a father and son have coached in a similar competition for quite a period of time.”
Scottsdale’s recruitment manager Scott Hill is optimistic Dolliver’s appointment will be an opportunity to target Canberra recruits.
“We feel going forward we’ve got a talent pool we can pull from now from outside Tasmania, where we’re not competing with North Launceston, Launceston and South Launceston etc,” he said.
“It’s a completely different catchment. Playing in Scottsdale the next couple of years, you can put your hand up for the (Tasmania) VFL side in 2026.”
“On the player side of it we’ve got a couple waiting to see who is coaching, which is understandable,” Mullins said.
“We’re at a point where we have to start making some (coaching) decisions, probably next week for sure.
“We’re hoping for some answers back on Monday for a coach, he’s having a look at a proposal over the weekend we’ve sent to him.
“Coming out to Scottsdale is a big effort, it’s something that can deter them. But we’re putting some things together, we’re going to have a training base in Launceston and maybe they can take training in Launnie one day and out here (Scottsdale) the next, and share the travel.
“It’s about trying to get that top one first (coach) and then others will follow. We’re looking for a name that will encourage players (to sign).”
STORY PUBLISHED OCTOBER 11 - “We’ll be there”: Magpies’ Premier League spot not in jeopardy after Deloraine debacle
Scottsdale has been reassured its place in next year’s NTFA Premier League is not in jeopardy after officials investigated the possibility of replacing Deloraine with Bridgenorth.
Whether the Magpies or Kangaroos would play in the inaugural top flight competition has been the subject of major conjecture in football circles in recent weeks.
Scottsdale president David Mullins said he had since reached out to the NTFA to clarify the club’s status.
Like Deloraine, Scottsdale won only one game in this year’s NTFA division one, and both clubs are still looking for a coach.
Mullins said a mainland-based coach will mull over a proposal from the club over the weekend, and is hopeful of announcing some good news in coming days.
“We’re definitely going there (Premier League), we’ll be there,” Mullins said on Friday. “Hopefully in the next week or two we’ll have some positive stuff to put out there with some signings.
“We clarified it, I did ask the question (to NTFA) why was it targeted at just Deloraine and not us.
“We’ve had meetings with them over time so they can see how we’re travelling, they were pretty confident with where we were.
“Even though we don’t have a coach, they were pretty happy with what we were doing. They might get a little bit twitchy if we don’t get a coach soon I reckon, but at this point in time they’re not looking to railroad us like they did Deloraine.”
This masthead sent questions as requested to NTFA president Damien Rhind regarding the Deloraine situation on Wednesday, but no response has been received.
Mullins said the additional travel requirements associated with playing at Scottsdale had been one of the major obstacles in convincing coaches and players to sign.
He believes a couple of top quality players they’ve approached will commit once they know who the coach will be.
“On the player side of it we’ve got a couple waiting to see who is coaching, which is understandable,” Mullins said.
“We’re at a point where we have to start making some (coaching) decisions, probably next week for sure.
“We’re hoping for some answers back on Monday for a coach, he’s having a look at a proposal over the weekend we’ve sent to him.
“Coming out to Scottsdale is a big effort, it’s something that can deter them. But we’re putting some things together, we’re going to have a training base in Launceston and maybe they can take training in Launnie one day and out here (Scottsdale) the next, and share the travel.
“It’s about trying to get that top one first (coach) and then others will follow. We’re looking for a name that will encourage players (to sign).”
Mullins believes they will have a better chance to improve their list in 2026, when Tasmania is slated to have its own VFL team.
“We’ve been talking to two or three mainland guys (to coach), but they’re not quite ready to head home,” Mullins said.
“In 2026 there might be an influx of guys heading back this way. They’re still hanging back for another year in the mainland leagues, a couple of blokes have told us it’s probably one year too early.”
Premier League clubs met on Wednesday to discuss the player points system, which has been set at 38.
Mullins confirmed they will officially apply to have that increased in order to help them be more competitive initially, and said it had the backing of stronger clubs like former TSL heavyweights North Launceston and Launceston.
“There’s an allowance in the points system to apply for more. That will go to the board and they’ll assess our situation, but you have that scope to apply,” Mullins said.
“I don’t think there would be any objections to it (from stronger clubs), and we will apply for it because we do need compensation on the points side of things.
“They (other clubs) are very positive in that space, it’s no good to anyone if they come out here and kick our arse.
“They’re on board to try and make things competitive, so they get a good game of footy.
“We’d like to get as many (points) as they can give us, but they’ll look at it within reason so it’s fair to the others.”
Former premier and the club’s number one ticket holder, Peter Gutwein, told media in June they want to be competitive and play finals within three years, and win a flag in five years.
“We stand by that. We’re working to be competitive to start with and work our way up,” Mullins said.
“We don’t have any illusions we’ll walk in there and win a premiership (next year), it’s not going to happen. We’re going in with realistic expectations and that’s what we’re telling player (recruiting targets).
Dogs’ key players to share coaching duties
South Launceston stalwart Grant Holt has described his step up from captaincy to coaching as a “no brainer” after the club appointed two young leaders to lead them into the Premier League.
Key players Holt, 24, and Tom Foon, 23, will share the coaching duties after incumbent Jack Maher accepted a SANFL role after guiding the Bulldogs to this year’s premier division flag.
“When I got asked it was a bit of a no brainer, already being part of the system and how the game plan works,” Holt said.
“Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to coach South Launnie, and I’ve been under some pretty good coaches in my time.
“What Jack’s done the last two years, you can’t fault him. To get us a premiership, the way he speaks to people and gets around us, I’ve definitely taken notes on what he’s done the last two years.”
Holt said sharing the load with Foon, particularly given their big responsibilities playing-wise, will help them with handling the pressure of their maiden coaching gig.
“It was a pretty easy decision, but it made it even better than Tom wanted to do it with me,” Holt said.
“It’s good to have that support, and we’ve got a pretty good group behind us keen to step up and help as well.”
Foon said a coaching chance has come sooner than expected, but it has long been a goal.
“I’ve always been interesting in being an assistant or a coach. I probably didn’t expect to do it this year, but when it was put to us I was pretty excited and I jumped on it straight away,” he said.
“Grant’s an awesome leader and knows a lot about football, we’ll enjoy the ride for sure.
“It will be about keeping those standards high where he set them, know where the bar is and hold everyone accountable to that level.
“I’m interested in helping people out and making everyone better. It will be personal growth for me as well, so I’m eager to learn and I think what I can pass on through my football knowledge will help someone else.”
Foon has played with North Launceston in the past and said some of the lessons learned there will also help him.
“They’re a great side and there’s definitely things I can pass on from what I remember. I’ll definitely turn back to what they showed me and pass that onto some younger guys as well.”
Holt is confident the Bulldogs will be competitive in the new Premier League, with former TSL sides North Launceston and Launceston expected to be the pacesetters.
“I’m pretty confident with just about all the playing group of last year staying on, and we’ll fill the gaps where we can,” Holt said.
“Our team going into year will definitely be competitive.”
STORY FROM LAST MONTH - Top Dog leaves kennel for SANFL opportunity
South Launceston’s flag-winning coach Jack Maher will take the next step in his career as an assistant with South Adelaide, and there’s a possibility the Bulldogs’ best player could follow suit.
Maher led the Bulldogs to the NTFA premier division flag with victory over Longford in the grand final.
But the club will enter the inaugural Premier League with a new mentor. Maher’s replacement will step into a healthy situation with the club also winning the under-18 and under-16 premierships, as well as making the reserve grade grand final.
Maher also revealed ruck Cody Lowe will trial with South Adelaide in December after the best season of his career with the Bulldogs.
Lowe, 25, was named player of the match for the grand final and finished second in the league’s best and fairest in the best season of his career.
The Bulldogs have set up a relationship with South Adelaide through Tom Beaumont. Beaumont signed to play with the Panthers this year, but returned home to be an assistant coach under Maher at the Bulldogs after suffering a season-ending knee injury during the pre-season.
Maher got a close-up look of how South Adelaide’s coaching structure works during a week-long visit this season, and will be their forwards coach.
“It was too good an opportunity to turn down, the club (South Launceston) was stoked for me and pushed me to do it. My mentors said I would be stupid not to,” Maher said.
“I’m under no illusions it’s a really big step and it might be a bit uncomfortable and a risk, but it’s one I’m willing to take.
“He (Panthers coach Jarrad Wright) said to be yourself and put your spin on things. They’re looking forward to a different set of eyes, someone who hasn’t been around SANFL footy that might look at things differently.”
Maher believes Lowe is ready to also get out of his comfort zone to further his own career.
With Tasmania’s VFL side not forecast to enter the league until 2026, a handful of players are likely to move to mainland leagues.
“Footy in Tassie is in a bit of weird situation, and I know the SANFL clubs are looking at the players here because they can give them an opportunity we probably can’t here at the moment,” Maher said.
Until that gets sorted, it is an appealing prospect to better yourself.
“Cody will have a trial give it a crack. I haven’t had much to do with recruiting, but I sent Cody that way.
“It’s exciting for the big fella and hopefully it works out because it will make the transition easier for myself, that’s for sure.”
Four of the six inaugural Premier League clubs - North Launceston, South Launceston, Deloraine and Scottsdale - are yet to officially confirm their coaches for next year.
But Maher doesn’t feel there’s any rush to find his successor.
“I’m working with the club pretty hard on that at the moment, we’ve identified a few people and there’s been some interest,” he said.
“It’s a good opportunity there with the talent coming through and Jay (Blackberry, playing assistant) is keen to stay on, it’s an attractive proposition for any aspiring coach.
“They don’t want to rush into it and make a bad decision. With Jay and Grant (Holt, co-captain) they’re happy to get the pre season started, and I’ll be floating around until Christmas.”
Refreshed Goodluck takes the helm at NTFA newcomers
Corry Goodluck felt “lost” not coaching, but a return to the helm with NTFA newcomers Campbell Town has reinvigorated his passion.
The Robins have wanted to switch from the ODFA to the NTFA for years, with the overhaul of football in the north providing the ideal chance to do so.
They will play in division two, the NTFA’s third tier, and president Liz Webber told this masthead in August the move was vital to avoid a player exodus from the club.
Campbell Town only field one team in the ODFA, but also must field a reserves side to meet the NTFA’s eligibility requirements.
It means players who were starved of football last year now have an avenue to play games. Goodluck, who has previously coached Bracknell before filling a player only role with the Redlegs last year, said the Robins have over 70 players on their books.
“(Incumbent Campbell Town coach) Clinton Burn is one of my good mates, he was pushing for them to go into the NTFA and knew if they did they’d need to find someone else to coach,” Goodluck said.
“I felt like this year I struggled to just play, coming out of a coaching role. Not coaching didn’t feel right for me.
“I was lost and really looking forward to being able to play and coach, I feel like I play my best footy when I’m in that mindset.
“From my perspective I need that motivation. As coach I have to lead by example, and if I’m not doing that I feel I can slacken off a lot.
“It fits me to have that responsibility. I have to work hard and set that example, and that makes me better as a person and player.”
Goodluck has targeted a number of recruits who’ve played plenty of reserves and under-18 football together, including a handful of Longford players influential in the Tigers’ four straight flags in that division.
Going into the NTFA is massive for them, they were a northern club playing in a southern league and it was hard to sustain that,” Goodluck said.
“We’ve recruited a lot of young guys. The best thing for us is to get a group of guys who want to be around the club for a few years and we can build on that for success.
“There was a lot of guys missing out every week (last year), it only pushes people away from the club unfortunately and you don’t want that.
“A lot of guys have come from Longford, they’ve played a lot of reserves footy and what we’ve done is we’ve recruited guys who played a lot of reserves and under 18s footy together. “On the way they’ve had a taste of senior footy, but the best thing is they’ve played 50 to 100 games together. My job is to teach them what it’s like to play senior footy and put my faith in those guys.
“We’ve still got some older guys at the club and they’ll still play big roles next year, but this group is what’s going to sustain the club for the next ten years.”
Goodluck said they are working with the NTFA to play their first game of the season on ANZAC Day, which falls on a Friday.
Tigers appoint new coach
Longford has appointed incumbent captain Kacey Curtis as its new coach to lead the club into the Premier League era.
Curtis, who joined the Tigers in 2019, takes over Mitch Stagg who has been in charge the past two years.
Earlier this month, Stagg said he was yet to commit to another season at the Tigers, but was hopeful he can find a way to juggle work and personal commitments with steering the club into a new era.
The Tigers went down to South Launceston in the last-ever NTFA premier division grand final, before both clubs step up to next year’s inaugural NTFA Premier League.
Stagg was keen to coach a third season, but was also wary of the time commitment required to do the right thing by the club.
“After the grand final I took a week or so to have a breather, and picked up some conversations (with the club) from there,” he said.
Stagg was Tigers assistant coach for four years before taking the head role in 2023, a year after Longford break a 33-year premiership drought.
Hinds excited at chance to step into hot seat at rebuilding Blues
New Launceston coach Jake Hinds will target recruits keen to “push themselves” in Tasmania’s expanded representative program after forecasting some “pretty big recruits” will head to Windsor Park.
The Blues have spent the last two years rebuilding through their young talent after three straight TSL flags.
They won just three games this year, with triple-premiership player Hinds to take over from Mitch Thorp after an NTFA season with Bridgenorth.
Hinds, 25, has already lured former AFL player Jackson Thurlow back to the club, while Ryan Tyrrell also returns along with young Bridgenorth ruck Dylan Farquhar.
He was an assistant in his last season with Launceston in 2023 before taking on the same role with Bridgenorth.
Blues president Scott Stephens, who coincidentally handed Hinds his TSL debut as a 15-year-old when he was Launceston coach, says the club will be set up so Hinds can focus purely on the football program.
“When I left I always knew I was going to go back, it was just a matter of when,” Hinds said.
“Coaching is something I’ve wanted to get involved with and have a crack at. That position became available at Launnie and I’m at that age now where I think I’m ready to have a crack at it, having been assistant for the last couple of years and doing the state program stuff.
“There’ll be some pretty big recruits announced in the coming weeks, once the year has officially wrapped up.
“We’ve had a couple sign up like Dylan Farquhar and Jackson Thurlow. It’s awesome and exciting to have someone of his calibre back and to not have to chase him, he wants to come back and help the club.
“To help with the young guys we’ve got, also help with my coaching and pick his brain, it’s good to have him back.”
Hinds has assembled his coaching staff, including playing assistant Brodie Palfreyman, with the non-playing coaches to be announced at a later date.
He said he was excited to help blood the club’s youngsters, some he already knows from his previous stint.
“Over the last couple of years there’s probably 40 players who’ve debuted, which is exciting,” he said.
“That will hold us in good stead with them having TSL experience under their belt, then get another pre season into them and bring in some players to top up the list.
“The players we’re going after are in the 20 to 25 years bracket who will fit in seamlessly, some who have been here before and some who haven’t.”
The Blues will compete in a six-team NTFA Premier League after the dissolution of the TSL.
Hinds said it’s inevitable some players will head to mainland leagues, including Blues youngsters Liam Jones and Isaac Hyatt to Glenelg.
But he’s also confident AFL Tasmania’s expanded representative program, underpinned by regional academies, will help retain talent before the state’s planned entry into the VFL in 2026.
“There’s some exciting stuff with the regional tri-series and the Devils games (against VFL/SANFL teams), we’re trying to get players who have aspirations to be involved in that and push themselves,” he said.
“In previous years it’s been you play under-18 Devils and if you don’t get picked up, you don’t chase the dream or head over the river to the mainland to have acak at it.
“To be able to stay and play VFL sides, and still be able to be home and be more comfortable (is a bonus).
“I know when I moved away (to play for Southport in 2019) it’s pretty full on, being 18 or 19 trying to break into a side that’s already established.
“You’re still going to lose a few here or there. Kids might want a lifestyle change but if it’s purely footy, the opportunity is here for them.
“I’m sure Jez (Devils senior head coach Jeromey Webberley) and the boys running the academies are going to have them at a pretty high standard.
“You’ll still lose a few but over the years those numbers will diminish and guys will stick around more, which is exciting.”
Hinds said he will take “bits and pieces” from every coach he’s worked with, from Stephens as a teenager to Oliver Cook at Bridgenorth last year.
“I know how to have a good time, but I know when to draw the line and switch on,” he said.
“As a player who wants t be a coach, you take notice of the little things every coach does. It’ll be a mould of everyone I’ve had really, from when I was 15 to when ‘Scuba’ (Stephens) was my first coach, to Cookie last year as my last.”
Flag-winning Bombers coach looks to “find balance”
North Launceston coach Adrian Smith is hopeful it’s possible to “find a balance” between furthering his career and continuing his “bond” with the Bombers players after they won the last TSL flag.
The Bombers became just the second team to go through a TSL season unbeaten after Saturday’s grand final victory over Lauderdale.
It was Smith’s first season as head coach after several years as a Bombers assistant, including when they won their previous five premierships in a six year stretch from 2014-19.
Whether Smith continues could depend on what the many talented youngsters he’s helped blood decide to do next season.
With Tasmania forecast to enter the VFL in 2026, players face a ‘gap year’ where they face a choice between playing in mainland state leagues, or staying home and working towards representing their state the following season.
Smith has a passion for developing young talent, and told News Corp early last month he finds the idea of pursuing a role in senior talent academies to begin in Tasmania next year an attractive one.
He has also previously called for more clarity on what the state’s pathway looks like, so the Bombers’ young players can make a more informed decision.
Inaugural Tasmania senior men’s academy coach Jeromey Webberley has since held a presentation for Bombers players to address those issues, and was confident the program can be a retention vehicle to keep players in the state.
The likes of Michael Stingel, Harry Bayles, Fletcher Bennett, Oscar Van Dam, Blade Sulzberger and Declen Chugg are likely candidates to attract interest from SANFL or VFL clubs.
Asked before the TSL grand final if he has resolved his future from next year, Smith said: “Not yet to be honest with you. I like the idea of being in the talent pathway in some capacity.
“I’m keen to maybe explore some options in that space. But in saying that I’m really invested in our (North Launceston) group. I hope a lot of our talented kids, if they’re not drafted they can commit to the (Tasmania) VFL, and can help transition our club into the next phase before they become bona fide VFL players.
“That’s my hope and because you’re so emotionally invested in them, if they’re staying around and committing to it, then you sort of feel obligated to support them because of the bond you have with them.
“Hopefully I can find a balance between the two.”
Whatever lies ahead, Smith is confident the Bombers are well placed for leadership as they prepare for the start of the NTFA Premier League next year.
“We’ve got a number of good coaches and players like Declen Chugg and Jacob Kerr who have good footy IQs,” he said.
“People like heat are well positioned to lead our club into the future in the next couple of years.”
OTHER COACHING DECISIONS
Bridgenorth - The Parrots announced via social media on Thursday they have re-signed Oliver Cook and Bobby Beams as men’s and women’s coaches respectively.
Beams guided the team to the premier division women’s premiership, while Cook will coach for a third season after steering Bridgenorth to a first finals campaign since 2019 this year.
Rocherlea - 2023 premiership-winning coach Josh Ponting has decided to stand down after three seasons at the helm, and has been replaced by incumbent skipper Luke Richards.
“Being named coach afer Josh makes me nervous having massive shoes to fill, but excited at the same time knowing he’s put this group in a near perfect position,” Richards said via the Tigers’ social media.
Bracknell - Josh Adams returns to the Redlegs after coaching them fro 2010-12, replacing Brett Mansell after one year in charge.
Deloraine - The Roos are also looking for a new mentor for their Premier League debut following the departure of Nathan Lowe.
Evandale - Lochie Dornauf will coach next year, having previously coached NTFA representative teams.
George Town - Adrian McHenry and Darcy Layh will join forces as co-coaches next season.
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