TSL: Smith to canvas options in changing Tassie landscape

He’s spearheaded North Launceston’s dominance this season, but coach Adrian Smith will assess options in a rapidly changing Tassie landscape before making a call on his future next year.

North Launceston coach Adrian Smith addresses the Bombers at Lauderdale Oval earlier this season. Picture: Linda Higginson Solstice/Digital

His debut season as a head coach could not have gone better, and North Launceston coach Adrian Smith will see how Tasmania’s rapidly changing football landscape settles before deciding on his plans for next year.

After a long tenure as a Bombers assistant, Smith has guided the high-flying Bombers to a 14-0 record after taking on the top job before Saturday’s road trip to North Hobart.

He accepted the role in late February after Brad Cox-Goodyer, who guided North Launceston to last year’s grand final, accepted a position in AFL Tasmania’s talent pathways system.

Smith has relished the role, in particular helping the club’s young talent develop into being crucial players in their flag charge.

More options are set to arise next year once the Devils senior talent academies begin, while Tasmania is slated to enter the VFL in 2026.

Like many coaches across the state, Smith will bide his time and assess his options.

“To be honest, I haven’t though too much about next year,” Smith said.

“I’m part of all the planning conversations but from my own personal thought process, I’m not sure what I’m doing with footy yet.

“I’m really enjoying it, I know that much. The family life balance has been pretty good.

“We’re planning for next year and doing things behind the scenes to make sure we’re ready for next year, which I’m heavily involved in.”

Smith said he would be happy to lead the Bombers into a new era when the NTFA Premier League begins next year, but doesn’t want to close the door on any personal growth opportunities.

“Do I want to pursue a career in footy and if so, what does that look like? Do I want to go down the Devils pathway or potentially be involved in some academy stuff?,” he said.

“I’m not sure yet. I want to explore some options around that space.

“I love the high performance environment and challenging myself and the players to get the best out of it.

“That’s why I’ve been doing it for so long as an assistant, I haven’t had the time to do it (head coach) as such. Obviously situations have arisen this year where I’ve had to make it happen and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed that.

“I’m not sure what the next chapter looks like, but there’s so many opportunities in Tassie footy at the moment that if you keep putting yourself out there and exploring those opportunities and take a risk, you never know what’s around the corner.

“It’s finding the right opportunities that might arise, At the end of the day I might continue coaching North and lead the team into the NTFA process next year, we’ll see.”

North Launceston has a strong history of being a launching pad for coaching careers.

Cox-Goodyer is the latest in a consistent line to open up other opportunities through success at the club.

Former premiership coaches Taylor Whitford (Casey) and Zane Littlejohn (Box Hill) are now coaching in the VFL.

“Helping develop young talent is what I’m most passionate about,” Smith said.

“We want to be the last team to win a comp in the TSL. At the end of this journey, hopefully we’re still on top after playing in a lot of grand finals over that period.

“I’m excited where North’s at in that transition phase and I’d be happy to lead that too. How the VFL landscape and the academies looks like is something that interests me as well, helping develop that young talent.”