‘We’ll be there’: Scottsdale given reassurances on Premier League status

Scottsdale sought ressurances from the NTFA their Premier League status wasn’t in jeopardy after the league secretly investigated replacing Deloraine with Bridgenorth. And they’ll apply for concessions to be competitive next year as their coach search continues.

Scottsdale's number one ticket holder and former premier, Peter Gutwein, with Scottsdale legend and AFL Tasmania Hall of Famer Peter Roozendaal earlier this year. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

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.

It only heightened when it was revealed the NTFA secretly approached Bridgenorth on their chances of replacing Deloraine in the six-team league, without the knowledge of the Kangaroos or AFL Tasmania.

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).