The 3 Launceston teams have all won a premiership in the last 6 years, why do they all have to be up the top at the same time? Every comp has to have top and bottom teams.
Its a massive advantge going forward if there is only the two clubs, how can it not be?
Reasons vary why each club won a flag ranging from inequality of finals locations, salary cap rorting through to a club just getting everything right on and off field with help of gun coach, key recruits and a bit of luck along the way to survive 1st Semi final and Glenorchy missed opportunities of 2015. I also feel the northern clubs got their act together off field well in advance of the Southern teams and this also gave them the 'jump'.
The inference is that no 3rd team = North & Launceston getting too strong. It's a populist view but I do not subscribe. Its not that simple IMO.
These two teams now need to travel more. As we all know, travel = losses. Add on fatigue and all of a sudden there are some negatives that would not be as prevalent with 3 teams. Top 3 finishes on the ladder may not be as easy as have been in recent years.
Costs will increase for each club given travel and more crucially, reduced revenue. As Darren Winter well knows, the Clarence games pay the bills. He is a smart cookie. If revenue drops, can coin be found as easily for a Tarrant or Holland? Could flags have been won without them?
I also believe the talent pool is quite thin and in need of attention in the North. This was evidenced when WST vanished as did all the players. North got 0 and Launceston 2 or 3 only. Hardly the 'topping up' that clubs voted on out of fear.
The D League also paints a sorry picture with Prospect uncompetitive and Launceston & North in 4th and 5th only. There is also no junior pathway of note after U16 football hence why North & Launny play in STJFL U18 Youth League.
Whilst at least one Launceston team should always be competitive/strong, I doubt we will see 2 powerhouses as a direct result of reducing from 3 teams down to 2.
Time will be the best provider of the answers.