Statewide League 2008

[Kingpin]

I think they'll find Hobart will be committing to the SFL for the time being at least when the club has its meeting this week.

In a complete about face the Hobart Football club has apparently decided to join the Statewide League next season.
According to reports that I heard from the meeting that was held tonight, so are most of the others as well.
Could see a return of the Hobart Tigers and I might start going to matches again
Although some flogs want it kept as the Lions - apparently the board are supposed to be going to "work out what emblem they want". Hmmmmm....

Interesting times ahead..

 

[roorat]

Wade would build a new Devonport
BY MARTIN AGATYN
22/08/2008
AFL Tasmania would consider forming a new football club from the Devonport area if the Devonport Magpies voted not to join its proposed statewide roster.
Devonport members are due to vote on the state league on September 11, with many still undecided or split on the issue at this stage.
http://nwtasmania.yourguide.com.au/...wade-would-build-a-new-devonport/1250870.aspx

 

[sportstalk07]

Wade would build a new Devonport
BY MARTIN AGATYN
22/08/2008
AFL Tasmania would consider forming a new football club from the Devonport area if the Devonport Magpies voted not to join its proposed statewide roster.
Devonport members are due to vote on the state league on September 11, with many still undecided or split on the issue at this stage.
http://nwtasmania.yourguide.com.au/...wade-would-build-a-new-devonport/1250870.aspx

They'll vote for it!
I think the powers that be have bribed all the clubs to go for the deal and in 5 years time when AFL Tas cut off the support value, how many clubs will survive then?

 

[Kingpin]

Build a new Devonport?
I've heard it all now....

Seriously, when are these people going to get it through their scons that building fake, plastic clubs DOES NOT WORK?

Southern Districts Cats: Sandy Bay Mark II in reality, but wasn't quite the same as the old club, lost all its fans gradually as time wore on.
Lasts less than 18 months before falling over.

Tassie Mariners: Severely downgraded from being the State elite U/18 rep team to a minor player participating in a few matches each year.

Tasmanian Devils: Rose to prominence when it received blanket media coverage and was practically the ONLY decent standard of football to watch in the state at the time.
Alienated its fan base (and the general footballing community) in a number of different ways across their existence to the point where it is now on the verge of collapse with poor crowds (even with the benefit of fudged crowd figures) and most likely back-to-back wooden spoons.
Has arguably more haters than supporters in its own state.

Stick with clubs that have some standing and have some tradition and meaning behind them.

Fake, plastic clubs mean nothing.

A new Devonport 'club' would have crowd attendances about as good as Lauderdale or Kingborough or heaven forbid, Hobart as the Lions.

 

[edward_woodward]

in all fairness lauderdale get close to the best support in the premier league ive seen bar new norfolk and glenorchy

 

[roorat]

State League looks likely
BRETT STUBBS
August 23, 2008 12:00am
THE State League appears a mere formality with Hobart committing to it for next season on Thursday night.
And with every team that commits to the proposal, the axe lowers on Tasmania's VFL side, the Devils.
Hobart originally rejected the State League at a special general meeting last month but agreed to continue negotiations with AFL Tasmania.
Yesterday, Hobart president Phil Baker said an overwhelming number of members voted to leave the SFL for the State League, after AFL Tasmania provided more information to the club.
Hobart joins Launceston, North Launceston and South Launceston for the 2009 season, and North Hobart committed for "the 2010 season or earlier".
Lauderdale, Burnie and Devonport are also tipped to join, while Clarence is reviewing its position but is likely to now sign up.
It would leave Glenorchy as the only invited club to reject the Stae League invitation.
Baker said the offer of funding for a development officer for its recruitment zone, from Hobart CBD to Cygnet, would help take the club forward.
"There was a view expressed that the club is fine in the way it is at the present time," Baker said.
"The club is financially secure, it has got a good asset base, all those things in place but there was a view as a football club we can't grow anymore than what we are now.
"The view was expressed if we are going to grow the football club, then we needed to step outside the current comfort zone and take the challenge that is there."
Hobart will remain as the Lions and as a single entity at the TCA Ground -- ending the proposal to be a combined Hobart-Sandy Bay team as outlined in the original State League business plan.
"That is dead in the water," Baker said.
AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade said he understood Hobart's position in relation to Sandy Bay.
"The Hobart Football Club would prefer to remain the Hobart Football Club," Wade said.
"Our understanding is they have a very strong desire to continue to engage the Sandy Bay community through the Sandy Bay Junior Footy Club."
Wade said the State League looked set to start next season.
"We believe the leadership of North Hobart and Hobart will shortly be followed by others," he said.
"We havent' definitely got a State League yet but we are certainly confident we will."
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,24225756-13222,00.html

 

[Gibbke]

It's starting to resemble Battlestar Galactica...

All this has happened before, and will happen again...

Football teams are being supposedly resurrected to do AFL Tasmania's dirty work, just like the Cylons were created to serve man...

Who are the final five Southern Cylons? Well, we've now uncovered 4, and the last one will be revealed in the future, seeing as Glenorchy have said no...

Scott Wade reminds me of Gaius Baltar...

The flagship Galactica is run down and ready to be decommisioned because it's a relic - just like North Hobart Oval! York Park is the brand spanking new Pegasus...let's hope it doesn't blow up, because whether the divided North & South fleet likes it or not, we're all in better shape with it around...

And just like the colonies were slaughtered by their creations, let's hope that Tasmanian football isn't nuked as a whole by the misguided actions of "Baltar"...

 

[Footy7]

I think statewide will go ahead no matter what, with the Devils on the way out, Scott Wade and all his AFL Tas mates will need to run something to keep there jobs, If they cant run the Devils properley, how the hell are they going to run statewide. Put the money into the Mariners and get them into a proper competition for starters, and put some money into the local competitions to improve them. Scott Wade has done nothing for the NTFL, The NTFL teams cant even get a cent out of him when one of there own are drafted.

 

[Kingpin]

State League looks likely

Hobart will remain as the Lions and as a single entity at the TCA Ground

If they stay as the Lions the boycott will continue unabated.
Quite interesting really that when quizzed about this very issue at the meeting the other night, Baker said that the board would be looking into colours and emblems at a later date and make the decisions.
Either the Mercury has reported incorrectly, or Baker has said one thing to the club and told media reps something different. This unfortunately would not be the first time.
(Edit) Baker was questioned over this yesterday at the match by supporters and members and assured them the media had assumed such (that they would remain as Lions) and had taken his comments out of context during the interview.
We'll see...

AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade said he understood Hobart's position in relation to Sandy Bay.
"The Hobart Football Club would prefer to remain the Hobart Football Club," Wade said.

Interesting that the club wishes to join the League because they feel they cannot grow anymore in the SFL and yet there is still this absurd talk of remaining as the Lions.
The club has lost close to 200 financial members since they dropped the Black & Gold playing colours at the end of 2004 and close to 300 financial members since they lost the Tiger emblem at the end of 1997!
It's had its lowest membership figures in it's 64-year history the past 4 consecutive seasons under the Lions banner as well as poorest crowds in the club's history in that timespan.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out exactly why the club is struggling to grow!
Yes, the club is financially better off now than it has been for decades, that is because of much lower overheads obviously with respect to the former TFL, the club has not got much, if any of its 1980's and 1990's debt hanging over its head, plus it just sold the Brisbane Hotel (owned by the HFC Sports Club since 1974) for a 6-figure sum.
It won't be any good of joining the new TFL under that emblem when you can't get people to turn up to home matches under that emblem & colours.
Calling it the Lions, they might as well go the whole hog and call the club Sandy Bay which would be tremendously disappointing and would prove once and for all that it is the club itself that threw away its history, not the Kingborough Football Club and the SFL as they conveniently blame at every opportunity.

 

[roorat]

Interesting comment from Lance Spaulding on Win news tonight that no Devils players had contracts past this year which he concluded meant that the demise of the Devils was in the pipeline even before the season started. Which makes you wonder why AFL Tas signed a 5 year deal with the VFL and a 2 year sponsorship deal with the Federal group. Maybe a breach of contract saga looming?
This is the thing that shows up the duplicity of AFL Tas the most when they announced that a Statewide comp would come before the Devils, making clubs believe they really were committed to state footy when they knew the Devils wouldn't last anyway.
The theory that they are so perdantic about the Statewide league because they knew the Devils were history and they needed a reason for their lush jobs to continue seems more and more likely.

 

[sportstalk07]

Interesting comment from Lance Spaulding on Win news tonight that no Devils players had contracts past this year which he concluded meant that the demise of the Devils was in the pipeline even before the season started. Which makes you wonder why AFL Tas signed a 5 year deal with the VFL and a 2 year sponsorship deal with the Federal group. Maybe a breach of contract saga looming?
This is the thing that shows up the duplicity of AFL Tas the most when they announced that a Statewide comp would come before the Devils, making clubs believe they really were committed to state footy when they knew the Devils wouldn't last anyway.
The theory that they are so perdantic about the Statewide league because they knew the Devils were history and they needed a reason for their lush jobs to continue seems more and more likely.

I'm sure there is a "get out" clause hidden deeply in the paperwork.

 

[North Wester]

Interesting comment from Lance Spaulding on Win news tonight that no Devils players had contracts past this year which he concluded meant that the demise of the Devils was in the pipeline even before the season started. Which makes you wonder why AFL Tas signed a 5 year deal with the VFL and a 2 year sponsorship deal with the Federal group. Maybe a breach of contract saga looming?
This is the thing that shows up the duplicity of AFL Tas the most when they announced that a Statewide comp would come before the Devils, making clubs believe they really were committed to state footy when they knew the Devils wouldn't last anyway.
The theory that they are so perdantic about the Statewide league because they knew the Devils were history and they needed a reason for their lush jobs to continue seems more and more likely.

When SW fell over last time all clubs were given a guarantee that they would be supported. As it turned out the rats were looking at getting into the VFL as soon as the clib delegates turned their backs after being giving those guarantees. And clubs wan't to trust them again. Whats wrong with once bitten twice shy.

 

[sportstalk07]

Might be worth having a wee look at this website - http://www.southlauncestonfc.com/
Interesting information there...

 

[roorat]

Need a week to wade through all that sportstalk, but after reading some I have 2 conclusions. 1. Why are clubs agreeing to this and 2. AFL Tas are set to make all their proposed money in club fines.
Unfortunately Scott Wade has already broken two of the rules namely;

6.7.1 damage the image of football in Tasmania in the eyes of the public
6.7.2 adversely affect the standing or reputation of the TSL or AFL TAS

 

[Duff TV]

6.7.1 damage the image of football in Tasmania in the eyes of the public
6.7.2 adversely affect the standing or reputation of the TSL or AFL TAS
[/quote]


Good on Doug Davey and Bucket for showing some balls and saying the truth.

Now when will others of influence also show some courage, ask the puppets to stand down so it can all get back on track.

These comments by me are going to probably cost me opportunities next year but I am prepared to say what must be said as I can't live with myself being associated with the current administration.

To those who will hop in bed with AFL TAS as it stands next year HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME. SHAME SHAME SHAME.

They are not all pirates at AFL TAS, in fact there are some very good people there but change at the top must happen and happen soon otherwise football in this state will be the biggest loser.

Come on footy public, unite and lets push for change.

 

[Gibbke]

I'm wondering what is meant by the bit where it says clubs need to lose two home games to cover costs (p.5)...give up the gate receipts, etc, is that it...?

If that is the case, they can have their neutral venues...if the NW sides lose nothing because of it, then sure, knock yourselves out, TFL - NW v South at York Park. I'm sure they'll make enough to buy a footy out of that, in front of Launceston Lenny and his dog...

 

[Gibbke]

And now having perused that draft draw, there is not one single instance of a neutral venue...

 

[Tim_in_Philly]

I'm wondering what is meant by the bit where it says clubs need to lose two home games to cover costs (p.5)...give up the gate receipts, etc, is that it...?

It seems clubs have a choice - give the proceeds of their two lowest drawing home matches to the TSFL and get free umpires and footballs OR keep all the proceeds from all the home matches but pay for your own umpires and footballs. That probably tells those in the know what they are budgeting for re crowds/revenue - does anyone know the cost of umpires/footballs for a home fixture?

 

[Tim_in_Philly]

And now having perused that draft draw, there is not one single instance of a neutral venue...

Clearly the southern and north western clubs vetoed the idea of games in Launceston so they've pushed the draw from the previously proposed 10 games against local opponents to 12 - i.e. each southern club plays each other southern club 3 times.

The draft draw has both northwestern clubs travelling to Hobart 3 times (previously 2-3 times) and one southern club (this time Hobart) travelling to the coast twice (formerly all were supposed to go just once).

 

[Tim_in_Philly]

My final comment - why go to a final 6 in a ten team competition? My preference would be to go back to the good ol' days of a final 4 with each final being alone on a weekend and taking all the focus and all the publicity. Then we could have 4 big occasion games with the chance of finals-like atmosphere and crowds. A final six as described will have 9 matches spread over 5 weeks and frankly the first week's three games will be of little interest to anyone....and the top two teams could play each other three times in the finals series - weeks 1, 3 and 5.

In fact, the path through the finals series for the second best team, if we assume for argument's sake all finals are won by the higher ranked team, will be play and lose to top team in week 1, play and beat the third team in week 2, play and lose to the top team in week 3, play and beat the third team in week 4, play and lose to the top team in the grand final in week 5. The top team's path in the same scenario would be play and beat the second team, have a week off, play and beat the second team, have a week off, play and beat the second team in the grand final.

Are they serious???

Quoting the rules document:

Initially (based on a 10 club TSL structure) the top six (6) teams in each grade, seniors and colts, will participate in the finals series of matches; as follows:
Round 1:
Game 1
First Elimination Final- The team finishing 6th on the premiership table shall meet the team finishing 5th on the premiership table. Winner to progress to round 2 (game 4); loser eliminated.
Game 2
First Qualifying Final- The team finishing 4th on the premiership table shall meet the team finishing 3rd on the premiership table. Both teams to progress to round 2 (loser to game 4 and winner to game 5).
Game 3
Second Qualifying Final- The team finishing 2nd second on the premiership table shall meet the team finishing 1st on the premiership table. Winner to progress to round 3 (game 7); loser to progress to round 2 (game 5).
Round 2:
Game 4
Second Elimination Final- Loser game 2 shall meet the winner of game 1. Winner to progress to round 3 (game 6); loser eliminated.
Game 5
Second Qualifying Final- Loser game 3 shall meet the winner game 2. Winner to progress to round 3 (game 7); loser to progress to round 3 (game 6).
Round 3:
Game 6
First Semi Final- Loser game 5 shall meet the winner game 4. Winner to progress to Preliminary Final (game 8); loser eliminated.
Game 7
Second Semi Final- Winner game 3 shall meet the winner game 5. Winner to progress to Grand Final (game 9); loser to progress to Preliminary Final (game 8).
Round 4:
Game 8
Preliminary Final- Loser game 5 shall meet the winner game 4. Winner to progress to round 2 (game 9); loser eliminated.
Round 5:
Game 9
Grand Final- Winner game 7 shall meet the winner game 8. Winner to be State Premiers; the loser Runners-up.

 

[Jerome]

Interesting comment from Lance Spaulding on Win news tonight that no Devils players had contracts past this year which he concluded meant that the demise of the Devils was in the pipeline even before the season started. Which makes you wonder why AFL Tas signed a 5 year deal with the VFL and a 2 year sponsorship deal with the Federal group. Maybe a breach of contract saga looming?
This is the thing that shows up the duplicity of AFL Tas the most when they announced that a Statewide comp would come before the Devils, making clubs believe they really were committed to state footy when they knew the Devils wouldn't last anyway.
The theory that they are so perdantic about the Statewide league because they knew the Devils were history and they needed a reason for their lush jobs to continue seems more and more likely.

Unreal!!

What a dog's breakfast!

My suggestions would be as follows:

Write to the AFL commission and demand an inquiry into the administration of Tasmanian football. We need an independent, respected footy administrator to go down there and sort things out. A Wayne Jackson type for example who has worked at state league and AFL level.

If that doesn't work, write to whoever the State minister is running the AFL bid and ask them to step in and sort it out.

The State Gov, the sponsers and good guys like Peter Hudson who have been campaigning for a Tassie AFL side are constantly being undermined by the current administration.

All their work to get an AFL licence will go nowhere unless the current mob are brought into line.

 

[Gibbke]

Clearly the southern and north western clubs vetoed the idea of games in Launceston so they've pushed the draw from the previously proposed 10 games against local opponents to 12 - i.e. each southern club plays each other southern club 3 times.

The draft draw has both northwestern clubs travelling to Hobart 3 times (previously 2-3 times) and one southern club (this time Hobart) travelling to the coast twice (formerly all were supposed to go just once).

Veto - have we actually heard this? In any case, in the document it says that York Park neutral venue games will be played, but the draw document doesn't show it. This draw is far superior to the old one, which was unfair to the two NW sides. Everyone down south better hope that Burnie and Devonport don't finish 1-2...finish lower and keep winning lower finals and they'll be on the road all through September...

Looks like a clear case of AFL Tasmania not having the faintest idea what it's on about...how can one group of people contradict itself on a constant basis so regularly...?

 

[Wilbur35]

Unreal!!

What a dog's breakfast!

My suggestions would be as follows:

Write to the AFL commission and demand an inquiry into the administration of Tasmanian football. We need an independent, respected footy administrator to go down there and sort things out. A Wayne Jackson type for example who has worked at state league and AFL level.

If that doesn't work, write to whoever the State minister is running the AFL bid and ask them to step in and sort it out.

The State Gov, the sponsers and good guys like Peter Hudson who have been campaigning for a Tassie AFL side are constantly being undermined by the current administration.

All their work to get an AFL licence will go nowhere unless the current mob are brought into line.

Mate, you are spot on. I am considering getting together a petition to send to the AFL asking them to do just that. I for one would never follow a Tasmanian AFL team if the existing yahoos at AFL Tas had ANYTHING to do with the running of the club.

Football in this State is a sorry state of affairs.

 

[roorat]

Statewide league doubt
BY TERRY MORRIS
2/09/2008 3:35:00 PM
North-West clubs hold key to future of Tassie football
THE future of the Statewide league may be determined in the boardrooms of the North-West Coast.
While the league has replaced the Tassie Devils as AFL Tasmania's priority next season, Burnie, Devonport and Ulverstone all appear destined to play major roles in whether it gets off the ground.
http://northerntasmania.yourguide.c...t/general/statewide-league-doubt/1259871.aspx

 

[The Racer]

Statewide league doubt
BY TERRY MORRIS
2/09/2008 3:35:00 PM
North-West clubs hold key to future of Tassie football
THE future of the Statewide league may be determined in the boardrooms of the North-West Coast.
While the league has replaced the Tassie Devils as AFL Tasmania's priority next season, Burnie, Devonport and Ulverstone all appear destined to play major roles in whether it gets off the ground.
Devonport remains the last of the five invited Northern clubs yet to commit to the venture and will vote when members meet on Thursday, September 11.
Burnie president Shane Walker has said his club would have to seriously consider its position if Devonport decided against joining. "We would find it very difficult to be the only club from the North-West," he said.
Meanwhile, Ulverstone yesterday scuppered any plans that it will be a replacement for Devonport, claiming reports that it would "fill the gap" are completely false.
With Devonport already accepting the resignations of president Des Brown and senior coach Steve Reissig, opinions are very much divided as to whether the club should join the Statewide league.
"There are a couple of people really pushing for it while other members are against it," a club source said.
Devonport finds itself in a strong bargaining position with AFL Tasmania as there are suggestions that a Tasmanian Devils-listed player could be offered to coach in 2009 and other inducements could come its way in order to get a yes vote.
In a joint statement signed by its four senior administrators, Ulverstone said no one holding an official board position had been or would be authorised to talk with AFL Tasmania on the Statewide league.
President Greg Wing, vice- president Wayne King, treasurer Clayton Williams and the club's NTFL director Ron Ansell said Ulverstone had made a commitment to stay with the NTFL.
"This club, along with five other NTFL clubs, signed a statement of intent on July 22 that it will remain solely with the present or a revamped North-West competition for a minimum of three ensuing years," the statement said.
"The football and general public of the North-West can rest assured that we are a club of our word and that we will not enter into discussions with any controlling body other than the NTFL or its revamped successor body."
http://northerntasmania.yourguide.c...t/general/statewide-league-doubt/1259871.aspx

Its ok to be a club of your word but what about the players at Ulverstone, what do they want to do......? do they have to leave the club they love in order to play in a higher standard comp or do they stay put and play in a weakened comp flogging sides like they did through the mid 90's.
Tough call and one the players are going to have to make very soon.
thoughts....