Why VFL entry next year is ‘paramount’ for father of AFL gun

The father of AFL gun Ryley Sanders insists it’s “absolutely paramount” Tasmania enters the VFL next year, admitting the Devils’ presence would have made his son’s decision to leave even tougher.

Tasmanian product Ryley Sanders playing for the Western Bulldogs this season. Sanders left for Sandringham to further his career. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The dad of an AFL star and former Tasmania pathways coach insists it’s “absolutely paramount” the state’s VFL team begins next year to prevent a player drain in the north.

Adam Sanders, son of Ryley, said although the Western Bulldogs gun may still have made the same call to join Sandringham if there was already a VFL team in place, it would have made the decision even tougher.

He also called for VFL games to be played for points to ensure rivals don’t field below strength teams as the AFL considers a ‘soft entry’ of around ten games for Tasmania next year.

Sanders is ideally placed to comment on the dramatic restructure of football in the state’s north. He is a life member at North Launceston, a premiership coach at Launceston and was head coach of the under-18 program, then called the Tassie Mariners.

Another son, Ollie, is also one of a number of Tasmanians playing SANFL with Norwood.

“I think it’s absolutely paramount that it (Tasmania VFL) starts next year,” he said.

“I reckon some people will go to Hobart to play. In the early eighties some really good players from here (Launceston) went to Hobart because it became a better comp, and that’s why the State League came in.

“Or they’ll go to the mainland, where my son Ollie is. There’s like 14 Tassie boys at Norwood, and 30 players from Tassie playing SANFL footy.

Adam Sanders with sons Ollie (then five) and Ryley (two and a half) and wife Ange after he coached Launceston to the 2007 NTFL flag. Picture: Supplied

“There’s probably another ten playing VFL and a heap in Queensland. There could be up to 50 kids that could potentially be good players in Tassie playing on the mainland.

“It’s always happened, but probably not to that extent.”

Sanders also fears some players in the NTFA Premier League, which is dominated by unbeaten North Launceston, could tempt players to drop down to the second tier, and far more competitive, division one.

The Bombers smashed Deloraine by 219 points on Saturday and have a percentage of over 700.

“North Launceston is winning by 150 points minimum, that’s no good for anyone,” Sanders said.

“It’s no good for the coaches it’s no good for the players. They’ve got to do something about it ASAP.”

Asked if the presence of a VFL team would have made it difficult for Ryley, taken at pick six in the 2023 AFL Draft, to leave the state, Sanders said: “Definitely. I remember going back when Jack Riewoldt was coming through, he played some VFL footy the year he got drafted.

“I’m sure Ryley probably still would have got drafted if he stayed here, but the Dragons were getting 12 or 13 drafted every year.

“In his bottom age year he was virtually the fourth or fifth midfielder with Will Ashcroft, Harry Sheezel and Cam McKenzie there.

Adam Sanders congratulates son Ryley after he was drafted by Western Bulldogs. Picture: Fox Footy

“The number of recruiters who go watch a Sandringham Dragons v Oakleigh Chargers game, every recruiter in the land is there. That’s where it’s not quite a level playing field for the Tassie boys.

“It was a hard decision, it took him a long time to make the decision because he was so attached to Tassie. In the end a lot of it was schooling, but also being able to play in those big games for Sandringham.”

This masthead has confirmed the prospect of Tasmania’s VFL team having a reduced schedule to ease their way into the league has been strongly discussed at AFL level.

Earlier this year Sandringham sent a very understrength side to play Tasmania in a senior men’s game at Launceston.

“What I’m hearing is they’ll probably play ten games next year. I think they’re worried about being blown away and it’s not too bad, but what they have to do is the games have to be for points,” Sanders said.

“You can’t keep having friendlies, Sandringham was just picking blokes out of local footy.

“We won’t make finals with that many games, but at least the teams coming down to play Tassie have got four points on offer, so they’ll take it seriously.

“Players could go back into local comps for six or seven games and qualify for finals. It strengthens up that footy during the finals, which isn’t the worst thing.

Launceston's 2006 NTFL premiership team, with coach Adam Sanders holding the trophy. Picture: Launceston FC

“They would have to make it financially rewarding enough to do that. (For example) a teacher might have to work four days a week instead of five.

“They’d have to pay them something, not just doing it for the love of it.”

Sanders said the Devils might need to implement incentives for Tasmanian products who have established themselves mainland state league to return home.

“There’s got to be some incentives to draw key players in, but also draw some key players back,” he said.

“(Possibly) a rookie list spot. there’s maybe four or five spots they could offer to come back and play for a couple of years before the AFL comes in.

“You don’t need your team full of Tasmanians but it’s a bit like Gold Coast, they’ve got Gold Coast kids playing in the team and it helps that young people can see they can play for Tasmania.”