NWFL News

NWFL Latest News, Football Northern Tasmania, North West Football League, AFL Tasmania

November Transfer Window - still open!!

Transfers & registrations are still open until November 30 for any incoming/outgoing transfers for the NWFL season - they will then be closed over the Christmas/New Year period until Feb 1.

Ulverstone finalise coach for 2021

In an announcement made on Thursday evening, Ulverstone have announced their coach for 2021 as Stephen French.

Winner of the 1998 and 2000 NWFL (NTFL at the time) goal kicking, the former Latrobe full-forward is also an NWFL Hall of Famer, being inducted in 2008.

French, who most recently had various coaching roles with Latrobe and Devonport, says he sees the Ulverstone list as one with an abundance of potential, stating he believes that Ulverstone can ‘rejuvenate itself through its junior program.’

The Ulverstone women’s begin their pre-season training this Tuesday the 24th of November at 6pm at Ulverstone football ground and the announcement on the men’s program will be in due course.

Devonport announce coaching team for 2021

Devonport announced their coaching team for 2021 across their senior, reserves, under 18’s and women’s teams.

Kurt Byard will again lead his team in 2021, per the clubs Facebook page, which made the announcement over the weekend. Having lead his team to 2 consecutive Grand Final losses, Byard will be hoping for ‘third time is the charm’ next season.

The reserves brigade will be lead by Dwayne Aherne who has taken over the reins from Joe Navatu.

Jayden Wicks and Janelle Rouse will continue in their respective roles as U-18’s and women’s coach for 2021. Wicks will also be looking to go one better after his side fell short at the final hurdle after an undefeated season.

Rouse will lead the Women’s for the second year running, after a good year by the Magpies, going 5-1 in the shortened home and away season.

Pre-season dates for the club will be announced shortly.

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Weller to lead Penguin in 2021

Former AFL player and Burnie 2020 premiership player, Maverick Weller has been announced as Penguin’s playing-coach for 2021.

In an announcement on Penguin’s Facebook page the club stated, ‘Mav will bring along with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from the highest level into our club as we aim for the ultimate success in 2021.’

Weller returned home to Tasmania this year after an 123 game career in the AFL, with Gold Coast, St. Kilda and most recently Richmond. He firmly believes that the off-field aspect is just as important as the on-field performance.

"I [also] think off-field culture is very important to on-field success and I hope I can add some stuff I have experienced over the years.”

Weller said when speaking to the Advocate, "Being at a club like Richmond and seeing a culture that has developed and thrived there based on genuine care for its people and acceptance of different personalities and characters can help you win games of football."

Jack Templeton has been announced as the forward line coach with more announcements on Weller's assistants expected soon.

Mav Weller in full flight in 2020 for Burnie. (picture: The Advocate)

Mav Weller in full flight in 2020 for Burnie. (picture: The Advocate)

Williams returns to Swanland

Former playing-coach, Grant Williams has returned to Girdlestone Park to take the reins at East Devonport.

In an announcement on the clubs Facebook page, East Devonport wrote that, ‘Grant is clearly aware of the challenges facing the club on and off the field, and is relishing the opportunity to re-set the mindset of the playing list around some non-negotiable core principles.’

Williams is no stranger to EDFC having been player-coach almost 20 years ago, having coached the club in 2001 and 2002, he also played four games for Melbourne in 1992 and has also had playing stints at Sandy Bay, Burnie, Wynyard and Devonport along with coaching Rosebery Toorak in the NWFA.

Williams has signed on for 2 years, with the option of a third.

The announcement comes after East Devonport announced they would be placing the football clubs senior program in an indefinite recess if they couldn’t get the following resources in place by November 25.

• Senior and reserves coaches signed

• 35 x senior and reserves grade players registered and with the definite intention of playing in season 2021

• 15 x under 18 grade players registered and with the definite intention of playing in season 2021

• Suitable nominations for the position of President and other unfilled committee positions for endorsement at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday 26 November

Plant to return for chance at 4-peat

Brent Plant has confirmed he will return to Burnie for 2021 to chase his fourth successive flag in a row.

In a short post on the clubs Facebook page, they announced he would come back to West Park for 2021.

When speaking to the Advocate, he was of the belief that the strength of the club both on and off the field helped sway his decision to stay on for another season.

"Our playing list is improving, and there is always going to be player movement [after each season] and I understand that, but with our under 18 group and our young reserves group [which both played finals] we have a whole lot of development and growth in those areas,'' Plant said.

The only main losses to the Dockers list so far is former AFL player Maverick Weller, who has left to become player-coach of Penguin, Kade Munday, who has retired on a high with a Wayne Wing medal and James Dowling who has left for the TSL.

President's Report for 2020

Andrew Richardson, NWFL President -

It is with great pleasure that I welcome everyone to today’s NWFL Grand Final day, the 34th since the formation of the NTFL in 1986 and one that nearly didn’t happen.

What a year it has been and continues to be as we deal with the COVID 19 pandemic and the resulting Government restrictions.

This afternoon sees Burnie battle it out with Devonport for the second year in a row to determine who will be crowned the region’s top club.

Burnie finished on top after the home-and-away rounds, 2 games clear of Wynyard, with Devonport finishing third by percentage from Penguin in fourth with Ulverstone, East Devonport and Latrobe missing this year’s final four.

Burnie progressed into the Grand Final with a Semi Final win over Wynyard. Devonport accounted for Penguin in the other Semi Final and then Devonport defeated Wynyard in the Preliminary Final to earn the right play Burnie in the Grand Final.

In the shortened season, Devonport and Burnie did meet on two occasions with Burnie winning out on both occasions.

We go into this weekend’s games with four clubs represented – Burnie, Devonport, Wynyard and Penguin.

Burnie and Devonport meeting in the Under18’s at Penguin on Friday evening, Penguin and Wynyard doing battle at Ulverstone on Saturday morning and Burnie and Devonport again in the senior final at Latrobe on Saturday afternoon.

There will be no Mead Con Darrel Baldock Medal or Ambassador Quest this season as we deal with COVID restrictions.

We will however have a Best and Fairest count with that function to be held next Friday 16th of October at the Penguin Football Club. We are hoping to livestream the count to all clubs so they can enjoy and witness the count from their own clubrooms.

Vicki has again carried out the League’s administration duties and has been outstanding in all areas, coping with a very heavy workload at times. It is a tough gig and she has shown a great ability to handle everything that has been thrown at her. This year we had Morgan Hughes appointed to oversee the Junior’s and Women’s Competitions but Morgan had to return to Victoria when he was stood down due to COVID. Barry Gaby and Emma Humphries were then responsible for these competitions upon their resumption.

Umpires coach Phil McCulloch has continued the good work from previous years.

The uncertainty of this season did impact the umpire numbers in the initial stages, but these were increased to the extent that umpires were also provided for Junior games.

We thank all involved for their work in the recruitment and retention of umpires - there is no game without umpires!

It was great to be able to witness the end of careers for to stalwarts of the Umpiring fraternity when Ian Clarke and Geoff Rootes stood in goals for the last time during the Under 18 game between Devonport and Ulverstone in August. Congratulations to both men on outstanding careers and to the Umpiring Association for allowing them to stand in their last game together.

A huge thank you needs to go to all clubs and volunteers that have been able to get the 2020 season off the ground and successfully abide by the stringent restrictions placed upon us by the Government.

To the Players at all clubs that are playing for no payments or reduced wages and to the Umpires who also took a cut in pay to assist in getting our competition underway, thank you.

To all our valued sponsors who have continued with us and those that have come on board this season we thank you for your support.

Finally, good luck to all clubs, coaches, players and umpires participating today.

Coast FM Player of the Year

Final leaderboard for 2019

46 - Zane Murphy (Wynyard)
37 - Bailey Boag (Burnie), Dylan Smith (Burnie)
31 - Travis Davies (Ulverstone)