Who made the cut in Launceston’s ‘team of the 2000s?’

Launceston Football Club named its ‘team of the 2000s’ at Saturday’s gala night, celebrating its 150th birthday. See who made the cut here.

Launceston’s Jake Hinds during the 2022 TSL grand final against Kingborough. Picture: Linda Higginson

They’ve won seven flags since 2000, but Launceston Football Club cherishes its production line of AFL draftees the most.

In 2023 the Blues enjoyed a landmark day when Colby McKercher, James Leake and Arie Schoenmaker were all drafted, the first two at pick two and 17 respectively.

On Saturday one of Australia’s oldest clubs celebrated its 150th birthday by announcing their best team of the 2000s at a gala evening, after they hosted South Launceston at Windsor Park.

Current president Scott Stephens, who played in flags in 2006-08 and 2011, was named the team’s captain.

“We’ve got a trophy cabinet of premierships, but our wall of draftees is probably more important to us,” Stephens said before the team was announced.

“Between us and North (Launceston) the last 15 years we’ve been by far the most successful (Tasmanian) clubs (for players getting drafted). We put that down to the environment we create at our club, and the challenge we set our kids to achieve those goals.”

Jake Hinds takes a mark for Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Current senior coach Jake Hinds was named on the half-forward line in the best team of the 2000s.

Hinds played in the Blues’ three straight flags from 2020-22, and knows he has some tough acts to follow now he’s in charge.

“As someone still playing footy now, it’s good to look back on what you’ve done so far,” he said.

“But at the same time it makes you a bit hungrier for more, being part of that success.

“Sometimes I do have to pinch myself a bit when you see who has coached the club, to be coaching it in its 150th year is pretty special. It’s not something I take for granted, and try to do it the best I can.

“There is that self pressure I put on myself to follow them, and do well. When I’m done I want to be brought up in those conversations as well, it’s not something I want to do for the sake of it.”

Scott Stephens (centre) during his time as Launceston coach.

Stephens handed Hinds his senior debut as a 15 year old, when he was coach in 2014-15.

“I’m a big believer in taking things away from every coach I’ve played under. I’ve known I’ve wanted to be a coach for a long time,” Hinds said.

“Scuba (Stephens) is still around the cub so he’s been awesome for me with someone to lean on and ask questions.”

Stephens said the club has been hugely influential on his life for over three decades.

“I walked into the club as a ten or 11 year old in the early nineties,” he said.

“It’s everything, it’s where I’ve created a lot of lifelong friendships, relationships and business partners.

“It’s your connection for a lot of things you do in life. All clubs are the same, it’s a great achievement to be the age we are (as a club) and the history we have.”

LAUNCESTON’S TEAM OF 2000s

B: Sam O’Keefe, Gene Savage, Gary Shipton

HB: Josh Woolley, Alec Wright, Beau Green

C: Kurt McCabe, Jobi Harper (vc), Jay Blackberry

HF: Adam Sanders, Nathan O’Donoghue, Jake Hinds

F: Brian Finch, Adam Derbyshire, Sonny Whiting

Foll: Joe Groenewegen, Tim Bristow, Scott Stephens (c)

Int: Dylan Riley, Brodie Palfreyman, Fletcher Seymour, Brennan Savage

Emerg: Daniel Ellis, Michael Musicka, Jacob Boyd, Jake Smith

Coach: Mitch Thorp