Lyon’s pride for Tassie

FORMER Melbourne great Garry Lyon believes the AFL needs to readjust the imbalance between the big league and the grassroots as heartland areas like Tasmania and country Victoria struggle.

Lyon has confidence in the sport’s governing body to get the job done but said now was the time to act.

AFL football operations manager Steven Hocking has been addressing Melbourne media and giving assurances the situation in Tasmania was not that bad — despite the overwhelming anecdotal evidence to the contrary from those on the ground at TSL and regional clubs.

“We saturate our footy market with AFLX and AFLW and JLT and we haven’t played a home and away game in anger yet,” Lyon said.

“We’ve just got to be careful to get that balance right.

“We can’t forget how important Tasmania has been to the fabric of our competition and establishing it and how many great players came from Tassie and how many come from country Victoria.

“I think it is a really critical time but having heard Steve Hocking today I trust the AFL, but I guess in the next 12 months we will find out.”

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan will visit Tasmania prior to the opening AFL game on March 22.

Lyon, a Fox Footy commentator and On The Couch panellist, was born in Tasmania where his dad, Peter, coached Devonport, which along with Burnie has pulled out of the TSL triggering the latest crisis in the code.

“Some big strong names have come out of that region, so that is bloody sad and if that’s not a warning sign then I don’t know what is,” he said of Devonport’s withdrawal.

“We are aware of the heritage... It can’t be ignored, and I don’t think it is to be fair.”

Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy, a longtime supporter of a Tasmanian AFL team, said he was becoming aware of the state’s plight through his friendship with Tasmanian football journalist and author Martin Flanagan.

The duo joined to write Murphy’s biography Leather Soul.

“I’m guided by people who are from those areas and they are crying out for help,” Murphy said.

“They need to be listened to and I get the impression the AFL is listening, and the AFL will be criticised for acting too late and I understand that.

“I get the feeling it is at such a critical point they are listen- ing and hopefully we will see some action a bit sooner than later and a positive result.”

Murphy, who is making the transition from player to media via Fox Footy, said the passion for football in Tasmania was palpable.

“Having played for the Bulldogs for 18 years we played games in all corners of Australia,” he said.

“You felt when you were in a footy town and a lot of those places weren’t footy towns.

“But whenever we played in Launceston you knew you were in a footy town.”