Tassie AFL team on committee’s agenda

BRISBANE coach Chris Fagan has revealed a future Tasmanian AFL team has been discussed by the steering committee looking at footy in the state — and that more “resources, time, care and effort” will come from AFL House in future.

One of two Tasmanian AFL coaches — along with Carlton’s Brendon Bolton — on football boss Gillon McLachlan’s committee formed to restructure football in Tasmania, Fagan has no doubt the findings will be positive for the state.

“I can’t talk a lot about it because what we talk about is inhouse,” Fagan said.

“I can say that the mood of the committee is very much on trying to help Tassie footy go forward and I am really confident that it will.”

Fagan believes local football officials, players and fans will be pleased with the outcome, to be announced by June 30.

The committee heard from two TSL presidents at its meeting in Melbourne on Wednesday, when they discussed structure and funding for the state’s premier competition.

Fagan said: “There will be a lot more resources and time and care and effort go into football in that state, and so it should.

“It’s one of the founding states of the game and they have produced a lot of fantastic AFL players. I know the people in Tassie get really proud when they produce AFL players.

“They haven’t been able to do a lot of that lately and hopefully with the measures that are eventually put in place, it will enable that to occur on a much more regular basis.”

He said the steering committee was examining every aspect of Tasmanian football.

“It’s the whole spectrum — from community football all the way through to the aspirations of, at some point in time, Tasmania having an AFL team,” Fagan said.

“All areas — talent pathway, community football — have all been covered off.

“That’s why is it taking such a long time to come up with the findings and the solutions.”

Mr McLachlan plans to be in Tasmania on Thursday to meet with the presidents of former TSL clubs Burnie and Devonport, and to meet with presidents of the remaining seven clubs in the state’s toptier football competition.

THIS year’s crop of Tassie Mariners has been hailed as one of the most talented groups ever to come from this state. With 13 in the initial Allies squad, it is hard to argue with. A couple of standouts will go very early in this year’s AFL national draft, but who are the others hoping to live out their footy dreams later this year? Not much separated about another dozen players, but here we rank the top 10 from Tassie’s super group.

1. TARRYN THOMAS

North Launceston, 189cm, 73kg, inside/outside midfielder Thomas had an outstanding under18s carnival where he was named Tasmania’s and the overall division two player of the tournament. He’s clean, doesn’t fumble, can win inside and outside, has X-factor and can be pushed forward with devastating effect. North Melbourne can’t believe its luck that it has dibs on this talent through its Next Gen Academy.

2. CHAYCE JONES

Launceston, 180cm, 74kg, midfield/forward Was down somewhat by his standards in the under-18s carnival, but at his best, he is a very good player. He’s not the biggest guy going around at just 180cm, but Jones is an excellent kick, has powerful vertical jump and can play through the midfield. He also has great goal sense, plus outstanding leadership qualities that could lift him in the draft.

3. NICHOLAS BAKER

Lauderdale, 189cm, 81kg, half back/midfield A powerful athlete who is good in traffic and at the stoppages, strong overhead and competitive. He is still raw and needs to keep working on his kicking, but has already played for North Melbourne’s reserves at the MCG where he kicked a goal with his first touch.

4. RHYAN MANSELL

North Launceston, 178cm, 72kg, defender/wing Somewhat limited during the under-18s carnival because he was carrying injuries and was unable to produce his best. But a versatile player who is ultra-competitive and has good speed and is a good decision-maker by hand and foot.

5. MITCHEL ANDERTON

Lauderdale, 177cm, 73kg, small defender Anderton is small in stature but he had an excellent under-18s carnival in the back half. He was very consistent and rarely beaten one on one — think of Sydney’s Nick Smith. But Anderton is not only a dour defender, he has a strong vertical leap, excellent awareness and the ability to spot up short targets by foot. He’s a good decision-maker.

6. BLAIR RUBOCK

Launceston, 179cm, 73kg, small forward Rubock is a Burnie boy who had to align himself with Launceston when the Dockers withdrew from the TSL. He’s only small, but has terrific forward craft and kicked multiple goals regularly across the under-18s carnival from lead-up marks, contested one-on-ones, and front and centre crumbs. He has good speed and a great vertical jump, but can still develop a defensive side of his game.

7. MATTHEW McGUINNESS

Lauderdale, 192cm, 75kg, key forward/key defender McGuinness showed his versatility during the under-18s carnival, playing well in games both forward and down back. At 192cm he is a nice size with good upside because he can still improve his kicking. As an indigenous player, North Melbourne can get first crack at McGuinness via its Next Gen Academy.

8. FRASER TURNER

Clarence, 186cm, 75kg, wing Turned heads with a strong under18s carnival, putting his name under AFL recruiters’ noses with his great endurance and hard running. He can accumulate lots of possessions, highlighted by his 34touch, five-clearance game against Gold Coast, can read the play well and is an excellent interceptor.

9. LACHLAN GADOMSKI

Tigers, 186cm, 77kg, defender A strong performance in the under17 future stars game last year in the lead-up to last year’s AFL Grand Final in Melbourne. He didn’t reach those heights during the under-18s carnival, but recruiters are aware of his talents. He has played a lot as a rebounding defender who can run and carry, has good size and is a strong spoiler.

10. TIMOTHY AUCKLAND

Launceston, 197cm, 88kg, ruck Had a strong under-18s carnival and was ultra-consistent. Like a lot of young talls, he’s developing his game but has great connection with some of his midfielders with his ruck work. His ability to get his hand on the football first is a feature. Not overly tall for a modern ruckman, but he is a similar size to Richmond’s Toby Nankervis.