Today’s game between the NWFL and Southern Football League is the 14th time the two regions have clashed. The NWFL has lost twice, the last time being at North Hobart by 16 points in 2009 and has never lost on the north west coast.
The smallest winning margin was one point at York Park in 2001, the greatest 88 points four years ago at Ulverstone. The average NWFL winning margin is 35 points, but we can expect a closer contest today.
The NWFL/NTFL has been the major promoter of representative footy in the past 35 years.
It began in 1987, the year of the league’s creation when we were part of the Victorian Country Football League competition.
Fantastic sponsorship made this possible but when that dried up and the fact we not only had to pay our own way to Victoria but were required to pay for the opposition to come to Tasmania, consequently our three year foray came to an end after the two games in 1989.
Since 1990 the league has played only Tasmanian opposition, from the NTFA, SFL to the State Under 23’s and Amateurs.
In 24 games we have won 19, lost four with one draw.
Some years neither the SFL nor NTFA would take us on.
It’s not a cheap exercise, the average annual cost to the NWFL to field two rep teams in 2019 and 2017 was $10,700, but it’s certainly worth it in my view.
In the early days a few players were reluctant to be involved, with suspension for their failure to attend training being imposed in isolated cases.
But as time passed players recognised that to represent their league as a player from their club was a feather in their cap. Not every player can be involved in a successful grand final, but the mate ship emanating from being part of representative footy in almost all cases results in players being keen to be involved with Tasmania’s leading regional competition.
Camaraderie engendered on bus trips, accommodation places and training and throughout the match process stays with players for ever.
Coaches these days only want players who generally want to better themselves and be involved to be part of their team.
No players, coaches or on or off-field personnel are paid, although it is usual for the players to keep their playing gear and street clothing. Those who are part of the team are there because they want to be involved with a professionally run, successful program.
For many years the coach was chosen from nominations received from clubs. In the past two games the reigning premiership coach has been invited to take on the role. Fortunately, the astute Docker’s mentor Brent Plant has committed to accepting the invitation.
Current Wynyard President Kent Jackson coached rep teams on eight occasions while three-time premiership coach Dale Perry held the reigns five times, including 2017 when he and Kent jointly had charge.
The best player at senior level is awarded the prestigious Paddy Martin medal, named after the iconic former Tasmanian sportsman and league Patron.
Four players have won the medal twice:
Scott Blizzard (Smithton) 2008, 2009
Brian Finch (Launceston) 2005, 2006
Brian Brett (Penguin) 1996, 1997
Rod Thomas (Deloraine) 1988, 1989 (was also captain three times as was South
Launceston’s Jade Elmer)
Beginning in 2008 the NTFL ‘drove’ Tasmania’s involvement in the Australian Amateur Football Council championship competition, which was a fantastic concept over eight years for players and administrators alike. In that first year the entire Tassie team consisted of players from our league.
The highlight was the state’s victory over the much fancied Western Australia in Perth in 2013. A lack of sponsorship and other (mainland) issues unfortunately resulted in Tasmania no longer being involved with the AAFC, but what a great experience it was.
The Under18/19’s have also been given the chance to play representative football with the first match at that level being played in 1994.
In 18 games we have been victorious 13 times. In five losses the biggest margin has been 13 points while in 1997 the side kicked 15. 28 118 to the SFL’s mere one behind.
At times it has been difficult to find suitable opposition to take on our “Unders”.
Legendary under-age coach Don Cooper coached the side nine times.
A check of past captains and best player medal winners shows some interesting names:
Harry Walters, Zane Littlejohn, Daniel Roosendaal, Darren Banham, Nick Pearce, Jack Templeton, Tyrone Morrison and even test cricketer Ben Hilfenhaus.
Representative football is a fantastic concept; it’s great for the players and others involved and for the reputation of the league. (but amazing that the almighty AFL just can’t seem to create something similar!)
We can only hope other bodies within our state do everything possible to see it continue and expand. Maybe too a “state premiership” between regional premiers?
So, congratulations and thanks to all those involved in today’s games and best wishes to all players in every team.