David Harding
Gippy
Kristy lee
Cain RiveraA high number of Tasmanians in the AFL but no team?
February 13th 2010 14:25
Sam Iles' steller VFL season was rewarded with a spot on the Gold Coast list, also finding new homes in the AFL draft last season was North Hobart's Marcus Davies, Glenorchy's Ryan Harwood, Clarence's Daniel Archer & Jeromey Webberley and finally North Launceston's Jesse Crichton was given a home. The Western Bulldogs extended a life line for discarded Cat Brodie Moles, Moles who was from Glenorchy originally played for the Tasmania VFL side he was drafted to Geelong, but was later delisted. Ryan Harwood joins another former Glenorchy boy in Aaron Cornelius at the Lions, as well as other Tasmanians Bart McCulloch from South Launceston, Justin Sherman from Clarence, and Tom Collier from Lauderdale.
Marcus Davies too has Tasmanian brothers at Carlton in former Glenorchy pair Simon Wiggins and Aaron Joseph. Jesse Crichton is a lone soul Tasmanian at Fremantle, Only two other Tasmanians have ever ventured west, Brodie Holland who is now coaching in country Victoria, and Adrian Fletcher the new assistant coach at the Lions. Daniel Archer and Jeromey Webberley join their former Clarence team mate the cousin of Nick Riewoldt, Jack Riewoldt at Richmond.
With the death of the Tassie Devils some young Tasmanian players have had to find a new way to the AFL, and that has been the brand new Tasmanian State League and the National Under 18 Carnival still helps young Tasmanians but the new State League gives them a chance at giving seen as well.
In all there are 21 Tasmanians on AFL lists, there wold be 22 if you count Nick Riewoldt who was originally born in Tasmania, but moved to Queensland with his father as a young child. Tasmanians also departed the AFL last season in Russell Robertson, Matthew Richardson departing the AFL last year.
With so many Tasmanians in the AFL it begs the question, why no Tasmanian AFL side? Tasmania's rich AFL history should have managed to see them a better contender for a team, then the likes of West Sydney, and the Gold Coast who barely have an AFL history to date. The Tasmanian market has been tested by Hawthorn which has been successful, the St. Kilda venture into Tasmania was not so successful but Tasmanians make up 10% of the Hawthorn membership which sees them able to see their adopted team play, the Hawks are looking to play more AFL games in the state as well.
Tasmania's bid for an AFL side has gained a lot of high profile support from the likes of Essendon champion James Hird, former Collingwood champion full forward Peter Daicos, Victorian premier John Brumby, NRL boss as well has shown support. With Tasmania's rich history does there need to be people speaking out everywhere they go that the Tasmanian public should be awarded a team of their own?
Tasmania's VFL side was the most supported for the majority of it's life in the VFL, the last two years were the worst seasons for supporters and members but they still were averaging decent crowds better then some teams currently still in the VFL.
The Gold Coast will debut in the VFL this season, with three Tasmanians on their list, West Sydney will make their way into the TAC Cup and eventually into the VFL before being bumped into the AFL in 2012. It's still a travesty that an island state that breeds champion footballers, turns out fans upon fans for games involving Hawthorn but still sits and watches as the AFL tries to hostile takeover New South Wales and Queensland in a war against the NRL.
Maybe one day the AFL will give peace a chance and find a Tasmanian team for the league, by then though Tasmania might be headlining the A-League.
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