If true thats a big thumbs up to Mr. Auld, the whole South Launceston Demise along with the Hobart/North Hobart merger is one of the sadder episodes of Tasmanian Statewide Football. I am glad both South Launceston and Hobart survied the Cluster F*#(k and are doing well in there own right.
If they want a 10 team comp, they could do a lot worse than woo South Launceston. At least show them the respect they deserve & they never got previously.
2nd thing is to get Demons back as North Hobart again. Being a 'new' entity for marketing purposes is one thing, but ignoring 135 years of history & community equity is another.
I think getting rid of the Development league will create a problem. You dont want clubs losing their own identity as clubs. They are not AFL type franchises. They dont have the money like they do. Clubs rely on players, families, volunteers & supporters. Without all of them together you lose your heart & soul, as well as financially.
I dont think the AFL bosses understand that vital link in community footy, even for the TSL.
I remember AFLTas calling it the footy family!! They never really understood what that meant, nor cared IMO.
That was probably their biggest failure IMO.