VFL: The northern talents who could wear ‘The Map’ in 2026
The VFL will welcome a Tasmania team in 2026, but which local players could feature in the inaugural squad? We’ve taken a look at some northern-based players who could be on the radar in a year’s time.
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Next year’s ‘gap season’ before Tasmania’s planned entry into the VFL in 2026 is a chance for local talent to press their claims to be in the inaugural squad.
A handful of Tasmanian stars who have established themselves in mainland state leagues will be priorities. But here’s a handful of northern-based guns, who have played at a local level in recent years, who could help form the nucleus of the inaugural squad.
OSCAR VAN DAM (North Launceston)
Van Dam stormed onto the scene with a breakout season for the Bombers after a highly successful transition to an inside midfielder.
The 19-year-old finished equal eighth in the Cripps Player of the Year award, voted on by media, despite missing a handful of games to play Devils as an overage to improve his draft hopes.
A big body blessed with speed, toughness, good skills and decision making, Van Dam is a must if he’s not in an AFL system or snapped up by a mainland club.
2024 TSL averages: 24 touches, five marks, 4.6 clearances, 5.7 tackles, 7.4 score involvements
LIAM JONES (Launceston)
The former Devils player of the year blossomed this year, playing his first senior representative game for the state.
The 20-year-old was named in the TSL team of the year after expanding his impact with more midfield time, as well as contributing 14 goals up forward.
His ability to win the contested ball and apply pressure was a highlight, and he spent some time training with SANFL side Glenelg this year alongside teammate Isaac Hyatt.
2024 TSL averages: 25 touches, 13 contested possessions, 5.4 clearances, 4.4 inside 50s, 6.1 tackles
CODY LOWE (South Launceston)
The 25-year-old established himself as the NTFA premier division’s best big man this year.
He dominated in the ruck and virtually gave the Bulldogs an extra midfielder with his agility, endurance and follow-up work.
Lowe was second in the league’s best and fairest voting and was named player of the match in the Bulldog’s grand final win over Longford.
ZACH MORRIS (Longford)
Another former Devils player of the year, Morris had a huge impact at the Tigers, returning to the state after a handful of VFL games with Northern Bullants, and a SANFL stint at Glenelg.
A big body with a huge engine, Morris’ workrate up and down the ground is a feature, and added more strings to his bow this year with stints as an inside midfielder with the speed to get on the outside.
“I’m not looking too far ahead but hopefully representing the state again (is a goal),” he told this masthead.
“That was some of the best years of my footy back in under-18s. To represent your state is a big thing and I’d love to be a part of that first VFL team.”
BAILEY BOAG (Burnie)
The Burnie Dockers ball magnet was the only NWFL player to represent Tasmania this year, and showed why with 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six inside 50s, five tackles and five clearances against NSW/ACT.
A three-time Darrel Baldock Medal winner as the NWFL’s best and fairest, Boag is still just 25 and will be in his prime when Tasmania enters the VFL.
Boag played one VFL game for North Melbourne in 2021.
HARRY BAYLES (North Launceston)
The confident Bomber relished the chance to play ultra-aggressive football off half-back this year.
His speed, endurance and great foot skills helped kickstart attacking waves for the unbeaten TSL premiers, and he also won the Leroy Medal as Tasmania’s best player against NSW/ACT with 36 touches, four inside 50s and seven rebound 50s.
The 21-year-old looks every bit a top state league prospect and is no doubt on Tasmania’s radar.
2024 TSL averages: 26 touches, 5.4 rebound 50s, 4.8 intercept possessions
MICHAEL STINGEL (North Launceston)
Stingel was a standout in a star-laden Bombers midfield. After an injury-interrupted stint with Norwood, he returned home with a bigger and more battle tested body.
It reaped dividends with some hard-nosed displays in the engine room, and his disposal was also elite.
If he is able to add a few more goals to his arsenal, he will only become more dangerous.
“I started off half-back and that built my desperation to hunt the footy,” Stingel told this masthead before the TSL grand final.
“This pre season I did a lot of behind the scenes work and it’s helped me become the player I am now.”
2024 TSL averages: 26 touches, 14.7 contested possessions, 8.7 clearances, 6.1 inside 50s, 5.5 tackles, 8.1 score involvements
BEN SIMPSON (Norwood/North Launceston)
Simpson was co-captain of the Bombers and led them to the TSL grand final in 2024, before becoming the latest Tasmanian to try his luck with SANFL club Norwood.
He played most of the year with the Redlegs’ reserves, who won the flag, after the seniors fell short in their grand final.
A hard nut with leadership, he could be a handy mid twenties leader to return should he struggle to force his way into Norwood’s first choice team regularly in 2025.
BLADE SULZBERGER (North Launceston)
Sulzberger turned 21 the day of the TSL grand final, but has already established himself as a young leader.
He finished second in Alastair Lynch medal voting to teammate Brad Cox-Goodyer, despite both competing for possessions through the Bombers’ midfield.
Sulzberger also took on a line coaching role throughout the season and will only improve as a player as he approaches the peak of his career.
TSL 2024 averages: 22 touches, 5.2 clearances, 4.6 inside 50s, 6.9 score involvements, 4.3 tackles
BRANDON LEARY (North Launceston)
The lively small forward produced one of the all-time great TSL displays in its last-ever game, kicking seven goals to be one of the easiest Baldock Medal decisions we’ve seen.
He could have beaten Cox-Goodyer’s grand final record of eight goals after missing arguably his easiest shots of the game.
Not only can the 21-year-old hit the scoreboard, booting 36 goals in the regular season this year, he’s also one of the best forward pressure merchants in the league.
Has trained with Hawthorn in the past but didn’t make the final cut.
TSL 2024 averages: 15 touches, 7.4 score involvements, 4.2 marks, 1.5 forward 50 tackles
ISAAC HYATT (Launceston)
Hyatt represented Tasmania against Queensland and NSW/ACT this year, and spending more time in the midfield has seen his game improve rapidly.
Averaged 24 disposals, 13 contested, per game, and showed his toughness as a clearance and tackling machine.
Averaged nearly 100 ranking points per game in a struggling side, and has the speed and goal sense to be a versatile and dangerous proposition.
One of the more unlucky players not to be included in the TSL team of the year.
TSL 2024 averages: 24 touches, 12.9 contested possessions, 4.3 marks, 4.8 tackles, 5.7 clearances.
JOSIAH BURLING (Launceston)
Burling returned to the Blues after a short stint with Perth and delivered by far his best TSL campaign, returning nearly 25 touches, 11 rebound 50s, 3.4 tackles and 2.6 one per centers per game.
They’re great numbers playing in a non-finals team and probably one of the more unheralded campaigns by any player this year.
Has already had a taste of the VFL with North Melbourne in 2022.
TSL 2024 averages: 25 touches, 5.8 contested possessions, 5.3 marks, 3.4 tackles
FLETCHER BENNETT (North Launceston)
The Bombers co-captain has been a tower of strength in defence for the past few seasons, but stepped it up another level this year.
His ability to marshal the inside 50 helped give Bayles and Mitch Nicholas a license to run and attack off half-back.
One of the better intercept defenders in the league and averaged nearly eight intercept possessions per game.
TSL 2024 averages: 20 touches, 82 per cent efficiency, 6.8 marks, 4.3 spoils
HARVEY GRIFFITHS (North Launceston)
Easily won the Peter Hudson Medal as the TSL’s leading goalkicker with 49 in the regular season, 12 ahead of nearest rival Josh Green (Clarence).
Griffiths was justifiably rewarded with Tasmania selection after showing he can impact a game in a number of different ways.
Not only can he play above his size and take a mark inside 50, but is also agile enough to be dangerous at ground level and has a knack of being in the right place at the right time.
TSL 2024 averages: 15 touches, 6.7 contested possessions, 4.2 marks, two tackles
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