New NTFA Premier Division 2025

[footyscribe]

At some point the NW clubs will realise that they can’t win flags with Burnie and Dev are in? ( haven’t done since Burnie/Devonport have been back.
6 team northern league

Devonport
Burnie
Launceston
South launceston
North launceston
Longford?


NW comp
6 teams
Saints
Wynyard
Latrobe
Penguin
Ulverstone
East

Spitballing

I believe something similar to this, or a version of this was actually the preferred model (Best Launny and NW teams forming a N/NW league) but the NWFL didnt want a bar of it and wanted to remain as is.

 

[jj15]

Yer ok and Devonport and Burnie will keep winning, nice NWFL!

Mercury article up now. NTFA tried shafting Deloriane.

 

[DANMAN]

At some point the NW clubs will realise that they can’t win flags with Burnie and Dev are in? ( haven’t done since Burnie/Devonport have been back.
6 team northern league

Devonport
Burnie
Launceston
South launceston
North launceston
Longford?


NW comp
6 teams
Saints
Wynyard
Latrobe
Penguin
Ulverstone
East

Spitballing

a greater Northern Comp. would be the best outcome. And something NLFC & LFC explored.
from what I have bee told, the NW Clubs are not interested and are happy with their own comp. and that is totally understandable
This model would be great if you could get all teams onboard. but thats highly doubtful.

 

[jj15]

a greater Northern Comp. would be the best outcome. And something NLFC & LFC explored.
from what I have bee told, the NW Clubs are not interested and are happy with their own comp. and that is totally understandable
This model would be great if you could get all teams onboard. but thats highly doubtful.

Hence why I said the only way it happens is if the clubs like Circular head realise they will never win a flag again if this format remains.

Devonport

4 senior flags in a row
4 reserves flags in a row
5 colts flags in a row

 

[PVF]

NTFA Media Release

NTFA Media Release 09/10/2024

www.ntfa.org.au

Deloraine staying put.

 

[OneEyedPie7]

The NTFA are a laughing stock.

 

[Gibbke]

So you’re suggesting we go back to competitons with 4 teams like they did in the 50’s & 60’s .
How is that sustainable playing the same teams every few weeks .
Could you name these competitions please ?
I have heard some rippers , but that suggestion is absolutely ridiculous.
Unfortunately the whole NTFA has been ripped apart because AFL TAS demanded NLFC & LFC go back to the NTFA , neither of those clubs wanted to come back. Premier League was a strong even comp. Longford , South , Rocherlea , Hillwood , Bridgenorth we’re all fairly even teams ( and have been for years )
The NTFA wanted the obvious 4 teams plus 2 out of town regional clubs , ie Scottsdale & Deloraine.
In a perfect world if Scottsdale and Deloraine were thriving areas ( like they used to be ) it could work , unfortunately those days are over and it can no longer work. Yes wrong decisions have been made by a this NTFA board but unfortunately it’s been forced upon them by AFL TAS . They are the real villains here.
By personal opinion is that the NTFA wants clubs to fall over .Imagine Uni gone . 40 players playing amongst other city clubs . No Meander ( more area for Deloraine to work with ) No Bridport ( more area for Scottsdale ) Evandale , Perth , Campbell Town gone (players filtering back amongst Longford , South Launceston , Bracknell etc etc .
Nobody knows the correct decision, because every option is flawed , but I do know having a 4 team competition is just crazy .

No more crazy than your conspiracy theory - I'd argue my idea is better than your vision of a dystopian future, and you already agree with most of it...!

Four team comps: Huon, Kingborough before the 1967 bushfires made them join Huon, TFL, NTFA, NWFU, NWFU East, NWFU West, CHFA, KIFA when they weren't being a three team comp, Oatlands and NWFA have 2 games a week if you consider Woodsdale, Oatlands and Rosebery to be the equivalent of a bye, which is exactly what could happen in a six team Premier Div NTFA...

And don't forget the premier rivalry across 140 years of Tasmanian footy - the intrastate matches contested between three sides...

North and Launceston will dominate and not let up. South and Longford are the only two sides due to set up and location who could possibly build up to compete with this. Why set two sides up for failure? Bridgenorth and Rocherlea will compete directly for players with ex-TSL teams based in the same area. Four full elite sides, and let everyone else have a senior and junior team...

 

[jj15]

I am hearing North Launceston may struggle to survive?

Can’t afford their home ground. Where will they play?
Clubrooms gone. New upgrades at UTAS.
Losing 70 percent of this years players.
Don’t have a womens or under 18s.

Seriously we have reached the stage where our local game is on life support.
To appease the people that don’t genuinely care about the game it’s all hidden by the TAS team, which out of the 40 players around a quarter will be Tasmanian born.

 

[DANMAN]

No more crazy than your conspiracy theory - I'd argue my idea is better than your vision of a dystopian future, amd tou already agree with most of it...!

Four team comps: Huon, Kingborough before the 1967 bushfires made them join Huon, TFL, NTFA, NWFU, NWFU East, NWFU West, CHFA, KIFA when they weren't being a three team comp, Oatlands and NWFA have 2 games a week if you consider Woodsdale, Oatlands and Rosebery to be the equivalent of a bye, which is exactly what could happen in a six team Premier Div NTFA...

And don't forget the premier rivalry across 140 years of Tasmanian footy - the intrastate matches contested between three sides...

North and Launceston will dominate and not let up. South and Longford are the only two sides due to set up and location who could possibly build up to compete with this. Why set two sides up for failure? Bridgenorth and Rocherlea will compete directly for players with ex-TSL teams based in the same area. Four full elite sides, and let everyone else have a senior and junior team...

Unfortunately you’re delusional, you are literally making things up. All those comps. we’re 4 teams comps.
?? What rubbish.
Do a poll and see who agrees with a 4 team comp.
And you’re going back to 1967 to back your claims.

 

[jj15]

Scottsdale and Deloraine found a coach yet?

Seems a bunch of clubs all over the state struggling to find coaches.

 

[DANMAN]

I am hearing North Launceston may struggle to survive?

Can’t afford their home ground. Where will they play?
Clubrooms gone. New upgrades at UTAS.
Losing 70 percent of this years players.
Don’t have a womens or under 18s.

Seriously we have reached the stage where our local game is on life support.
To appease the people that don’t genuinely care about the game it’s all hidden by the TAS team, which out of the 40 players around a quarter will be Tasmanian born.

A board member from NLFC has told me , they will have UTAS for 1 more season.
But the rest is true . But according to Gibbke they will dominate forever. This will not be the case

 

[DANMAN]

The NTFA are a laughing stock.

So very true

 

[RedWhiteBlack13]

Scottsdale and Deloraine found a coach yet?

Seems a bunch of clubs all over the state struggling to find coaches.

Don’t believe either are even close on coaches despite the large incentive being offered up.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

What are the odds of a two-tier setup in 2025 given the fiasco we are currently enduring.

• The six premier teams plus four from the current Div 1 pool.
• The remaining 10 as Division 2.

The planned setup would be fine if all six premier clubs were ready and capable to be a part of the competition, but two clubs seem to be set up for failure. Should it wait until 2026?

 

[jj15]

Problem is they have added so many other factors into the mix for inclusion.

 

[Gersman]

Can't ever see the likes of Scottsdale or Deloraine ever being competitive with the top clubs. Just won't happen.
NL for all their bleating about how good they are, and their senior team was a GREAT team, but underneath that doesn't seem to be all that positive.
Reserves third last with a percentage of 53, no colts and no womens team, 16s down the bottom in both divisions, 14s top three.
Once that senior side moves on they'll be about where Launnie Blues are right now.
Maybe they'll have to play their games next door sharing with OL's.
How much do they have to pay in rent every year to play at UTAS?
Bit poor that they've played there for over 100 years and virtually been turfed out onto the kerb.
Could be some very hard years ahead for them you would suspect.

 

[madmug]

At some point the NW clubs will realise that they can’t win flags with Burnie and Dev are in? ( haven’t done since Burnie/Devonport have been back.
6 team northern league

Devonport
Burnie
Launceston
South launceston
North launceston
Longford?


NW comp
6 teams
Saints
Wynyard
Latrobe
Penguin
Ulverstone
East

Spitballing

Can't ever see the likes of Scottsdale or Deloraine ever being competitive with the top clubs. Just won't happen.
NL for all their bleating about how good they are, and their senior team was a GREAT team, but underneath that doesn't seem to be all that positive.
Reserves third last with a percentage of 53, no colts and no womens team, 16s down the bottom in both divisions, 14s top three.
Once that senior side moves on they'll be about where Launnie Blues are right now.
Maybe they'll have to play their games next door sharing with OL's.
How much do they have to pay in rent every year to play at UTAS?
Bit poor that they've played there for over 100 years and virtually been turfed out onto the kerb.
Could be some very hard years ahead for them you would suspect.

NL make a heap out of Hawthorn games. They also run bingo at the Casino. I recon they'll go ok in the future.

 

[jj15]

NL make a heap out of Hawthorn games. They also run bingo at the Casino. I recon they'll go ok in the future.

Their clubrooms is being knocked down.

I’ve been told the AFLTAS grant only just covered their ground hire bill!!! Now that’s gone.

Any news on Deloraine or Scottsdale coaching positions?

 

[MortlockWatcher]

And there won't be many more Hawthorn games to cash in on, either.

 

[benbrown]

Funny how league isn’t worried about Scottsdale as much as deloraine,magpies have no coach and not one recruit with plenty of old players having to play ressies ,how bad must deloraine be going then,both sides forfeited some games in u 18 although I believe magpies will get a side together.

 

[RedWhiteBlack13]

Funny how league isn’t worried about Scottsdale as much as deloraine,magpies have no coach and not one recruit with plenty of old players having to play ressies ,how bad must deloraine be going then,both sides forfeited some games in u 18 although I believe magpies will get a side together.

Magpies managed to get through the season with only 1 forfeit in the under 18s, compared to Deloraine's 4.
Deloraine's reserves fielded teams of 16 most weeks with the average age over 35, doubling up senior players in their last roster game against South just to get on the field. They have also lost half a dozen players from their senior squad, with no coach appointed and not a single recruit. I'd say they are in a much worse position the magpies and need to recruit 30+ boys/men just to get on the park in 2025.

 

[madmug]

Their clubrooms is being knocked down.

I’ve been told the AFLTAS grant only just covered their ground hire bill!!! Now that’s gone.

Any news on Deloraine or Scottsdale coaching positions?

Their rooms will be rebuilt. At Bellerive Oval during the 1986 construction & again for the 2000 redevelopment, Clarence were given new facilities. NL will get the same.

 

[benbrown]

Magpies managed to get through the season with only 1 forfeit in the under 18s, compared to Deloraine's 4.
Deloraine's reserves fielded teams of 16 most weeks with the average age over 35, doubling up senior players in their last roster game against South just to get on the field. They have also lost half a dozen players from their senior squad, with no coach appointed and not a single recruit. I'd say they are in a much worse position the magpies and need to recruit 30+ boys/men just to get on the park in 2025.

Cheers,that’s going to be a massive task

 

[Gibbke]

Unfortunately you’re delusional, you are literally making things up. All those comps. we’re 4 teams comps.
?? What rubbish.
Do a poll and see who agrees with a 4 team comp.
And you’re going back to 1967 to back your claims.

I'd go back to 1879 as well if necessary, because it "backs up my claims" (which are historically factual and pretty much the story of Tasmanian football...got some gaps there you need to fill in your own head, bud, and if you want to argue any of this historical stuff with me, good luck...!)...

The point though is not the number of teams in the comp - it's the competitiveness and viability. You yourself have stated that it will be lopsided. We're also going to have an issue to contend with when the VFL Devils start, and that will be the possible huge drop between that level and the best local teams. Local footy is not there to bring in huge crowds - we're way past that because that's not how Australia functions these days. Townships and suburbs don't show up to see the local heroes anymore. Aussies turn up in huge numbers to watch elites, and the elites plus TV coverage funds everything below it (when it works properly, and too often we see lower tiers absolutely starving). Tassie's footy will be funded by an AFL franchise, just like WA and SA, plus dividends from the AFL competition, and you'd imagine the odd prop up fund that helps most clubs in some way...and our prop up will not look as good as Qld or Sydney's, because there's a lot more riding on the success of those states v ours...

So the entire point of the opposition that Launceston and North will front up against next year will be in supporting the pointy end of the structure, the one under the Devils side that actually will be "home grown" (because the AFL side will be all interstaters). And if Deloraine and Scottsdale can't pull their weight, then you'll have a huge issue in that division due to the ramifications of that. Something has to concentrate the talent into a constant weekly high standard, and limiting teams according to some high end criteria does that. At the other end, the critical issue for footy in Tasmania is putting a team on the field at all, and there are half a dozen sides, along with a few more who have gone into recess just recently, who are being absolutely destroyed week to week...again, ask the history guy, who can tell you that what Richmond, Claremont, Oatlands, Woodsdale, and worst of all, R-Toorak, can manage these days, is worse than anything struggling teams have managed in 145 years, and that's just 2024 alone. If a town's main priority is getting a team on the park at all, then this needs to be made as achievable as possible...get them out there and playing, and give the kids somewhere to play that won't go belly up next season. I'm worried that two of the Premier sides will be closer to this than the high end after regular thrashings by at least one team playing out of York Park...they might as well just go there now...

The other possibility could be a reintroduction of rep footy. South, North and NW, playing each other four times a year, gives you a twelve round series, make it six and you get eighteen rounds. A player on the Devils list not playing VFL that week would play for their region, and if their team had the bye they could guest for another. Guess what - that's a three team comp! And what's more, it dumbs down the premier divisions by taking the best players. Why not just streamline South, North, Longford and Launceston into a top league and at least get the north covered...you'd know our rep side when it meets up against the S and NW in rarer intrastate games would be battle hardened, that's gotta be a plus...

 

[Gibbke]

Magpies managed to get through the season with only 1 forfeit in the under 18s, compared to Deloraine's 4.
Deloraine's reserves fielded teams of 16 most weeks with the average age over 35, doubling up senior players in their last roster game against South just to get on the field. They have also lost half a dozen players from their senior squad, with no coach appointed and not a single recruit. I'd say they are in a much worse position the magpies and need to recruit 30+ boys/men just to get on the park in 2025.

And right here, Danman, it's all spelt out...these two teams are already in the Premier division...