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Source: The Mercury
By: JAMES BRESNEHAN
THE Southern Football League will not hit top speed until it finds a settled formula and sticks with it, says outgoing SFL president Will Hodgman.
After six years at the helm of southern Tasmania's premier football league, Hodgman is well-placed to critique the competition.
He said while the continued reshaping of the SFL had created a top-line product, the competition needed to settle on one formula and allow that to become established.
``The SFL has a very bright future, notwithstanding some ongoing challenges,'' Hodgman said yesterday.
``The standard of football is fantastic, and we have increased our support in the community and from the corporate sector.
``But having to change the format of the competition each year has been a significant handicap, and until you're able to settle on the right format it's always going to be a handicap.''
Hodgman, who has relinquished his position to focus on his political career, also believes the contentious issue of team guernseys should be resolved.
Some clubs were forced to change jumper designs, colours and logos to avoid a conflict with existing SFL teams.
However, the introduction of the two-tiered format last season meant clashes in jumpers and colours were not particularly relevant.
Four of the seven Premier League teams -- New Norfolk, North Hobart, Glenorchy and Hobart -- now play in non-traditional guernseys and/or colours. Of these, the only clash is between Brighton and North Hobart.
Both had Melbourne-style guernseys and colours, but when North Hobart joined the league it was forced to change jumper design.
``I appreciate the history issues that have hampered this debate, but I do believe it is an area that has held the league back,'' Hodgman said.
``I believe we should allow all clubs to retain whatever historical links they have by wearing their traditional jumpers.
``Any clashes could be overcome by alternate strips.
``This is an ongoing divisive issue that is not helping the league move forward.''
Hodgman's replacement will be elected at the SFL's annual meeting in November.
He stood by the decision to play the SFL grand final on Saturday in direct opposition to the Collingwood-Port Adelaide AFL preliminary final. A crowd of 4289 attended the Hobart-North Hobart grand final.
By: JAMES BRESNEHAN
THE Southern Football League will not hit top speed until it finds a settled formula and sticks with it, says outgoing SFL president Will Hodgman.
After six years at the helm of southern Tasmania's premier football league, Hodgman is well-placed to critique the competition.
He said while the continued reshaping of the SFL had created a top-line product, the competition needed to settle on one formula and allow that to become established.
``The SFL has a very bright future, notwithstanding some ongoing challenges,'' Hodgman said yesterday.
``The standard of football is fantastic, and we have increased our support in the community and from the corporate sector.
``But having to change the format of the competition each year has been a significant handicap, and until you're able to settle on the right format it's always going to be a handicap.''
Hodgman, who has relinquished his position to focus on his political career, also believes the contentious issue of team guernseys should be resolved.
Some clubs were forced to change jumper designs, colours and logos to avoid a conflict with existing SFL teams.
However, the introduction of the two-tiered format last season meant clashes in jumpers and colours were not particularly relevant.
Four of the seven Premier League teams -- New Norfolk, North Hobart, Glenorchy and Hobart -- now play in non-traditional guernseys and/or colours. Of these, the only clash is between Brighton and North Hobart.
Both had Melbourne-style guernseys and colours, but when North Hobart joined the league it was forced to change jumper design.
``I appreciate the history issues that have hampered this debate, but I do believe it is an area that has held the league back,'' Hodgman said.
``I believe we should allow all clubs to retain whatever historical links they have by wearing their traditional jumpers.
``Any clashes could be overcome by alternate strips.
``This is an ongoing divisive issue that is not helping the league move forward.''
Hodgman's replacement will be elected at the SFL's annual meeting in November.
He stood by the decision to play the SFL grand final on Saturday in direct opposition to the Collingwood-Port Adelaide AFL preliminary final. A crowd of 4289 attended the Hobart-North Hobart grand final.