NTFA: Battling Roos, Pies to chase talent after beltings

While both clubs weren’t expected to be competitive against former TSL sides North Launceston and North Launceston initially, their off-season recruiting drives shape as critical for their immediate futures.

Bombers star Brad Cox-Goodyer wasted little time exposing the gulf in class against the Magpies, booting three goals in the first four minutes of their 41.23 (269) to 1.3 (9) win.

The Roos went down to Launceston at home 39.23 (257) to 1.6 (12), and all three of their wins this year have come against winless Scottsdale.

The NTFA earlier responded to the plight of the two clubs by increasing their salary cap from $80,000 to $100,000, effective immediately, with player points also boosted from 38 to 53.

“Against the top sides, if you come out with a big loss you can look for a lot of negatives, but you have to focus on a few positives and a few learning curves for these young kids,” Deloraine coach Nick Milbourne said before Saturday’s game.

“Hopefully in future seasons it will teach them a few crafts and learning patterns to shape them as better footballers.

“At the end of the season a lot of conversations will be had with a lot of players. Hopefully we can recruit in areas we’ve lacked this year, and bring in some A-grade talent to help.”

The Roos’ reserves are also battling, winless after 13 games with a percentage of just 5.83. A number of older players have returning to the club to help out.

Their reserves coach took aim at “unnecessary” social media vitriol last week, concerned at the impact it has on young players in particular.

“Our depth gets tested a lot, especially against the top sides,” Milbourne said.

“It’s about bringing in footballers not to replace the guys who are first picked every week, it’s to mould them into better footballers and how they go about training standards.

“If we can get six or eight good guys in the door, it will put some guys back into the reserves (but we need depth).”

Milbourne is committed to a second season at the helm and said he’s enjoyed the challenge of helping youngsters improve.

“Since coming on board I’ve absolutely loved it. There’s a bunch of kids who are young and off field the committee is fantastic,” he said.

“Game-wise it’s been tough against a couple of top sides, and as you don’t get the wins your training nights can drop off a little bit.

“Our senior group is really committed which I’m really impressed with.

“It’s sad to see the reserves and under 18s fall away a little bit. When it’s pissing down with rain and cold, it’s a shame it doesn’t faze them whether they go (to training) or not, which is a little disappointing.

“It makes it hard to train a certain way and do certain things to improve on Saturdays.”

Milbourne said it’s imperative they recruit players with the right character and mindset to help the club rebuild.

“Key position players is what we’re looking for but also we can’t be too fussy, anyone who is of good quality we want to bring in to put pressure on spots,” he said.

“The extra salary cap is a bit handy but we just don’t get handed money by the NTFA, we have to come up with that with funding and get extra sponsors on board.

“You’ve got to be careful. We’ve got a really good group of players who are playing under a certain salary cap at the minute. We don’t want to pay overs to get people in, when you’ve asked the current playing group to put in the hard yards and not expect exorbitant money.

“Just because we’ve go that extra money (salary cap space), we wont’ throw that around willy nilly and try to lure guys on exorbitant money because I’ve seen it happen in the past, you might get a couple of good ones but also a couple of wrong ones.

“If things don't’ go their way during the year they can miss training runs and upset the playing group, you need to get the guys here for the right reasons.”

Scottsdale coach Rickie Dolliver said they’re hellbent on starting to win games in the Premier League’s second edition next year.

He said throwing kids into the deep end against the likes of Cox-Goodyer will help them grow.

“It shows them the work rate required to play at the level. And the kids that are fair dinkum about playing certainly learn from those type of experiences, in my opinion,” Dolliver said after Saturday’s clash.

“I don’t think that will be a problem (finding money to take advantage of cap concessions), the community is right behind the club, and there’s a couple of farmers who run a cattle club.

“The money won’t be an issue to fill the salary cap, it’s about finding the right people with the right amount of time to spend to play here, if they’re not locals.

“I certainly think from the people we’ve been speaking to, we’re not too far away from making a couple of announcements shortly.

“We’ll be looking to win four to six games next year realistically, and more the following year. Everyone knew it wasn’t going to be a one year fix, it’s more like a five year equalisation.

“No doubt we’ve got to start winning a few games next year and build on that.”

Dolliver said they would focus on bringing in more leadership.

“We’re looking at a playing assistant coach to give us more leadership on field, and someone who can take a session a week in town (Launceston),” he said.

NTFA: Dogs delight as Tigers fightback shattered

Longford now knows how the Melbourne Demons felt.

Just a couple of weeks after St Kilda beat the Dees in similar fashion, it was South Launceston’s Brendan Taylor who played the Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera heartbreaker role with the winning goal in Saturday’s dramatic win over the Tigers.

Searching for a first victory in three NTFA Premier League games against the Bulldogs this year, Longford appeared to have pulled off a miracle when a Dylan Headland goal put them in front after trailing by 23 heading into time on.

But a 6-6-6 infringement from the Tigers gave the Dogs a last-gasp chance to get out of jail, which they nailed flawlessly.

Youngster Chaice Oliver grabbed a contested mark before finding Brendan Taylor with a short kick.

Curiously the veteran played on instead of taking the set shot, but he snapped truly to give the visitors the win.

Looking to avenge a 54-point defeat the last time they played South Launceston, the Tigers got off to a good start with three of the first four goals, including two to Mitch Bennett.

Two quick goals to Hunter Farrelly in the last quarter appeared to have got the visiting Bulldogs home, but Longford refused to yield.

The win effectively seals third spot for South Launceston, who will take on fourth-placed Longford in the elimination final.

Despite the win, South Launceston co-coach Tom Foon told his team afterwards their display was “unacceptable”, in particular highlighting their poor discipline as an area to improve before finals.

“Overall the day was disappointing. Yes we won, but we got a lot of learning to take out of that

“We’re a lot better side than what we showed, the discipline was unforgivable and we can’t be doing that against North (Launceston) and Launceston.”

The Tigers pain was only heightened by the loss of ruck Michael Larby in the first five minutes with a hamstring injury, in his first game of senior football this year.

Young Dogs Oliver Freeland ruck battled manfully against gun Longford ruck Deagan Madden all day, while Matthew Lee kicked four goals.

But it was the man they call ‘Brawler’, Taylor, who held his nerve when required.

“We’ve probably got a big thank you to say to him,” Foon said.

“What he does for the group is incredible, he’s all class and he deserves all the credit he gets.”

Elsewhere, the league’s massive competitiveness issues were laid bare when North Launceston and Launceston overpowered Scottsdale and Deloraine respectively by a combined 505 points.

NTFA PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 13

SOUTH LAUNCESTON 1.2 4.5 6.8 12.10 (82) def LONGFORD 3.3 4.5 5.7 11.11 (77)

Goals: South Launceston - Matthew Lee 4, Hunter Farrelly 2, Lochlan Harris, Jack Morrison, Chaice Oliver, Brendan Taylor, Tom Foon, Logan Smith; Longford - Connor Alexander 3, Dylan Headland 2, Mitchell Bennett 2, Joel Lloyd, William Dakin, Ollie Reid, Oliver Chugg

Best: South Launceston - Oliver Freeland, Matthew Lee, Logan Smith, Brendan Taylor, Hunter Farrelly, Thomas Munting; Longford - Joel Lloyd, Deagan Madden, Benjamin Murfett, Casey Brown, Mitchell Bennett, Dylan Headland

NORTH LAUNCESTON 11.5 23.9 30.15 41.23 (269) def SCOTTSDALE 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 (9)

Goals: North Launceston - Brad Cox-Goodyer 11, Oliver Dean 4, Jack Blackwell 3, Declen Chugg 3, Jack Avent 2, Will Gibson, Alex Lee, Sam Simpson, Michael Stingel, Lockie Mitchell, Bailey Mitchell (12 goals not attributed by home club); Scottsdale - (Goal not attributed by home club)

Best: North Launceston - (None posted by home club); Scottsdale - (None posted by home club)

LAUNCESTON 10.6 16.11 30.14 39.23 (257) def DELORAINE 0.2 1.5 1.6 1.6 (12)

Goals: Launceston - Jake Hinds 12, Archie Wilkinson 6, Sonny Whiting 5, Dylan Farquhar 3, Tiernan McCormack 3, Hunter McGee 3, Ben Hyatt 2, Brodie Palfreyman 2, Harrison Millwood, Ryder Johnston, Angus Jefferies; Deloraine - Laiden Bloomfield

Best: Launceston - Brodie Palfreyman, Tiernan Mccormack, Archie Wilkinson, Ben Hyatt, Oliver Atkins, Jake Hinds; Deloraine - Kye Chilcott, Benjamin Atkins, Jaylen Chilcott, Jayden Last, Jett Chilcott, William Richards

The passion behind Curtis’ quest to help Tigers earn their stripes

The passion inside Longford’s first year coach Kacey Curtis to help the Tigers’ next generation is evident.

It’s why he used a second half collapse to South Launceston to ram home the standards required to succeed, as they look to bridge the gap between them and the top sides.

Down by just three against the Bulldogs six weeks ago, the Tigers would eventually lose by 54.

What followed highlighted how determined Curtis is to raise the bar as the Tigers usher in a host of new cubs.

The club confirmed this week Curtis will continue as coach next year, with fellow Tigers stalwart Dylan Headland his right-hand man.

“We tried to have a wake up call after that South game mid year,” Curtis said.

“We were really disappointed with that finish, it wasn’t really acceptable some of the things that happened that day in terms of disciplinary actions.

“Even some of our off field stuff, it wasn’t too bad but just the standards we needed to keep in check.

“We had a couple of byes in there and we really clamped down on a few things, since then we’ve seen a shift which has been really good.”

That result will drive the Tigers when they host South Launceston, who they are guaranteed to play in the elimination final, this Saturday.

“We want a response after the last game against them,” Curtis said.

“We took it pretty personally the way we finished that game.

“We had our (annual) ball that night as well, it really ruined our day the way we finished. It’s about maintaining that, but we couldn’t do it.”

Curtis said the deficiencies were “nothing major”, but the game was a timely circuit breaker to remind the group of what’s required.

“It was just little things here and there we tried to clamp down on,” he said.

“It was more a test for me going forward, to see who really wants to be a part of it as well. “Half the guys I’ve debuted have come straight from junior footy and it’s a big step up, not just on field but also off field, and having to mature quickly as men.

“One thing I feel I’ve got better at that through the year is developing the relationships with those young guys, and chat to them each week.

“I know when I was a young fella at North (Launceston, before moving to Longford in 2019) I appreciated when the coach or a leader touched base with me each week to see how I’m going.

“I’m starting to see some rewards from some guys who look really comfortable now.”

Curtis said it would be pointless to coach one season, and install certain philosophies and relationships with his many young players, then hand over to someone else.

“It took me a week to run it by the wife but it was a no brainer for me,” Curtis said.

“Taking over for one year, there’s not much point to that. I see myself being a coach for a while.

“This year it will be great to really have a chance to plan as well. I’ve got a lot better understanding of my game style and philosophy.

“I jumped in reasonably late last off season, but with the team list going forward I’ll have time on my hands to plan and prepare and see what we need going forward, to try and retain and potentially recruit.

“I’ve really enjoyed the challenge and it’s made me grow as a person, off the field especially.

“I’ve got strong relationships with the playing group and already did being a captain beforehand. We lost a few, but the boys who did stay are a core group now and they’re committed to what we’re doing going forward.”

While their only wins have come against bottom two sides Scottsdale and Deloraine, Curtis has been encouraged by the constant growth in the youngsters on the list.

“To be honest that’s the biggest thing that motivates me,” he said.

“Winning is everyone’s motivation, but this year I’ve got a lot out of giving guys opportunities and seeing the growth in them.

“A 16 year old in Kayden Tootell has played every game this year. You look at him and his stature is pretty small.But if I go back now and watch him in the first game compared to now, some of the things he showed on the weekend (against Launceston) in a red hot game, the growth is the most rewarding part for me at the moment.

“He’s just one example but there’s plenty of that.

“There’s also guys who were role players in previous years who have really stepped up as leaders, and that gives us a good platform going forward.”

Curtis believes the club can take heart from the growth of the Bombers’ youngsters, who went from missing TSL finals to winning the league unbeaten in a couple of years.

“Player like Michael Stingel and Declen Chugg, these guys were thrown in at 17-18 at the start,” Curtis said.

“I’m close to Declen, he’s my cousin and he was thrown in early, but you look at guys like him now and they’re dominating the competition and are leaders at their club.”

Curtis indicated he’s at Longford for the long haul.

“I’m pretty entrenched where I’m at, and that was built before I was coach,” he said.

“It’s a real community and family club out there, when I moved there in 2019 they really embraced me and my family.

“You ask any recruit who’s gone out there the last few years, it’s a hard club to leave once you’re out there.”

Magpies president steps down

Scottsdale will have a new leader at the helm going forward after president David Mullins stepped down for personal reasons.

Mullins was one of the driving forces behind the Magpies’ successful bid for inclusion in the NTFA Premier League, which began this year.

Manuel Hall was appointed interim president at a scheduled board meeting on Tuesday night, with a new president to be installed at the club’s next AGM.

“The role of President in the NTFA Premier League is incredibly demanding,” club secretary Eva James said.

“David has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the position, and his tireless service has left a lasting legacy. His decision to step back is one we respect and admire.

“We simply cannot thank David enough for the countless hours, energy and passion he has given as president and board member over the years. His vision and dedication have shaped the path we’re on today, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he’s done, and continues to do.”

Mullins will continue to have an active role at the club, including watching son Bryton and partner Mikayla play each week.

Bombers coach in no rush on future call

North Launceston coach Adrian Smith will wait until further into the season to make a call on his future, revealing the “emotional connection” with his premiership-winning squad will be a factor.

Smith, who guided the Bombers to the last-ever TSL flag last year unbeaten, has made no secret of his desire to help develop Tasmania’s best youngsters as the state’s football landscapes changes dramatically.

Kingborough premiership-winning coach Trent Baumeler announced this week he would be stepping down after this season.

Tasmania is scheduled to enter the VFL next season as the next step towards the Devils’ inaugural AFL campaign in 2028.

“I’m not there (making a decision) just yet. I wouldn’t mind waiting to see what the footy landscape looks like with the VFL programs and what not,” Smith said.

“I still have a really strong ambition to progress my coaching, what that looks like I’m not sure.

“The group we have at the moment there’s a really strong emotional investment. We’ve been through a lot since we’ve been together, in some cases longer.

“If they (players) decide to move on I’m not sure, it’s a bit early in the year to look at that. “We’ll focus on getting the job done first and move on. My wife’s on the board, I’ve got a connection to the place, it’s not like I’d jump up and go coach someone else next door, it would be for a career change more than anything else.

“In the AFL space there’s a lot of opportunities and I want to keep working with the talented players in our state.

“That’s something I’ve been clear on wanting to do and at the same time I have that emotional investment to the footy club.

“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge in that space, and something might pop up as an option.”

With four games remaining until finals, the Bombers received some positive news with key player Brandon Leary set to return soon from a quad injury.

Leary, last year’s best on ground in the TSL grand final, suffered the injury in the win over Launceston on July 26, and missed last week’s clash with South Launceston.

He is a chance of playing against Scottsdale on Saturday, but the club won’t take risks this close to finals with one of their most valuable assets.

“He’s progressing better than what we probably thought with the time frame. He’d be 50-50 this week but we won’t risk him against Scottsdale,” Smith said.

“Quads can be funny, he’s back running and doing his rehab stuff.”

It’s further good news after luckless star half-back Harry Bayles (hamstring) returned for just his seventh game of the year against the Bulldogs.

“It was good to get Harry through on managed minutes. It’s about managing our squad now and getting them healthy for that final (round) game against Launceston,” Smith said.

In other coaching news Longford’s Kacey Curtis has re-signed for a second season at the helm of the Tigers.

Originally published as NTFA: Battling Roos, Pies to chase talent after beltings