Why players can take step to ‘first dibs’ on VFL spot in rep clash
They’re keen to showcase what northern footy is all about, but pressing claims for Tassie’s VFL team will be another carrot in the NTFA’s clash with the SFL on Saturday. Get the latest NTFA news here.
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NTFA co-captain Alex Lee believes the virtual tri-series grand final against the SFL this week can help players take a step to having “first dibs” on spots in Tasmania’s inaugural VFL side.
The continuing restructure of Tasmania footy is up in the air after a no-confidence motion by the opposition forced premier Jeremy Rockliff to call a snap election.
That casts uncertainty over the future of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, and there also the Tassie Devils and their underlying structures.
The NTFA and SFL have both beaten the NWFL to set up a winner-takes-all clash in the men’s fixture at North Hobart Oval on Saturday.
The Bombers, unbeaten in the new NTFA Premier League, have 12 players included in the 28-man squad.
Lee said the prospect of being in Tasmania’s first VFL squad was a significant drawcard for many Bombers players to stay put this year, despite knowing they would dominate the Premier League after winning the last state league flag unbeaten.
“Outside of maybe four guys on North Launnie’s list, the majority are 24 or under. They’re in that prime age bracket, they can play VFL footy and play well,” Lee said.
“It’s great to have these rep games and the Tassie games, so they can push their name out a bit more to get them more known.
“We (North Launceston) had a few guys move interstate because they had their opinions on what the competition was going to be.
“But for the guys who hung around, getting the opportunity to play for Tassie in this representative series is a great carrot to dangle in front of them that if you play your best footy, you’ll get noticed and hopefully have first dibs on being the guys who represent Tassie when the VFL team gets up and running.
“It goes right back to juniors that it is attainable, you don’t have to leave Tassie to play at the highest level possible. I think it’s really important the young kids coming through the ranks get that opportunity.”
The ruckman said the clash with the SFL was a chance to highlight the strength of football in the north.
He said the 15 point win over Launceston, the first time they’ve been pressed all season, was an ideal build-up given the two sides make up 20 players of the squad.
“Lauderdale are in a similar boat, I think they had 13 or 14 in the SFL’s team. It does give us a good sense of continuity,” Lee said.
“It’s always heavily publicised the south thought we had a lot of the pull from the north west, so it was south versus the rest.
“This is our opportunity to show this is the north of the state and how proudly we go about our footy. It’s going to be a great contest.”
NTFA SQUAD
North Launceston - Alex Lee (c), Bailey Mitchell, Beau Nash, Brandon Leary, David Summers, Declen Chugg, Fletcher Bennett, Harry Bayles, Jack Avent, Lochie Mitchell, Sam Simpson, Theo Ives; Launceston - Archie Wilkinson, Bailey Gillow, Ben Hyatt, Brodie Palfreyman (c), Jacob Boyd, Jayden Hinds, Jake Hinds, Zac Morris; South Launceston - Hunter Farrelly, Tom Graham; Scottsdale - Joe Krushka; Deloraine - Kye Chilcott, Jayden Last
- Jon Tuxworth
‘Didn’t want to travel’: NTFA coach takes cheeky jab at SFL
NTFA representative coach Adrian Smith has delivered a cheeky jab at his Southern league rivals ahead of this weekend’s clash.
Speaking ahead of the NTFA’s trip to take on the SFL, the North Launceston mentor suggested there had been more buy-in from his league’s top flight players.
Saturday’s game shapes as a representative series decider after both leagues accounted for the NWFL.
“There are some quality players down there for sure but at the end of the day it comes down to the contest,” Smith said.
“They didn’t want to travel and play up in the northwest the other week, so it will be an interesting team balance for them if they can get that right.
“One thing I am really proud of is our team have really bought into it, they are really invested in NTFA footy.”
Smith said the NTFA are likely to make just the one change from the side which defeated NWFL.
“We stuck with the 28, Michael (Stingle) had a scheduled surgery on his nose the other week,” Smith said.
“So he is just missing a couple of weeks, he took the opportunity to have something he has been wanting to have for some period of time now.
“He should be ready for the state game in a few weeks but it is disappointing from a Northern Tasmania point of view we don’t get to see one of our quality midfielders go up against some of theirs.
“In terms of change, we should be relatively settled, we do have a couple of players that are carrying some injury at the moment, so we had a bit of an increased squad of 28.”
- Jake Garland
NTFA appoints general manager
The Northern Tasmanian Football Association has appointed a new general manager.
Damian Jones has stepped into the newly created role at a critical time for footy in the state as the Devils prepare to enter the AFL and AFLW in 2028.
Jones has been a board member with the competition for 14 years and brings experience in areas including football operations.
“I am looking forward to working in this new role as NTFA general manager. To be able to work in an industry that you are extremely passionate about is not only exciting, but it provides an opportunity to invest quality time into the future of the competition,” Jones said after commencing the role on Monday.
“There is no doubt it is a challenging time for football in this state and to be able to work closely with the NTFA clubs and all other stakeholders to ensure we have a strong future will set up our region to having the strongest and largest league in Tasmania.”
NTFA president Peter Gutwein welcomed the appointment.
“Damian's skills and experience shone through during the recruitment process, and I know that we have selected the right person for what will be the most important role in northern footy over the next handful of years,” he said.
“I very much look forward to working with him and our clubs during this very important moment for football in Tasmania.”
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