Hobart Football Club
Encyclopedia
Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football
club based in Hobart
, Tasmania. They play their home fixtures at the TCA Ground
on the Queens Domain, in Hobart and from 2009, the club has been a member of the Tasmanian State League
.
on 19 December 1944, and became a playing member of the Tasmanian Football League
(TFL) in 1945. Hobart played under the emblem 'Tigers' and wore a yellow and black playing strip. The Tigers lost every game in its first season under coach Cecil Geappen and were similarly unsuccessful in 1946. In 1947 Hobart made the Grand Final but were beaten by North Hobart
.
The club were to become a prominent finalist over the following 20 years, missing out only twice between 1947–1966, along the way collecting six TFL premierships, a State Premiership
and losing four grand finals.
In 1966 Hobart defeated Glenorchy
by 1 point in a thrilling Grand Final before 16,699 people. However, hard times were to hit the Tigers, with the club finishing on the bottom of the ladder from 1967–1971. In 1972 Hobart were languishing at the foot of the ladder midway through the season (and copping enormous press criticism) before staging a monumental comeback to win all bar one game from that point and making it to the Preliminary Final before losing to New Norfolk
by 4 points.
led Sandy Bay
machine.
The Seagulls, on the back of Premierships in 1971 and 1972 had won 20 consecutive matches in 1973 (24 in a row since 1972) and were considered the hottest premiership favourites in TFL
history.
So confident of success were Sandy Bay
, that their banner read "21 Today! 21 Today!" and they had organised a Premiership Dinner for several hundred people at Wrest Point for that evening.
Hobart came out and put relentless pressure on Sandy Bay, and as history would have it, Appleton's Army stunned the 14,720-people on Grand Final Day. Sandy Bay were to crack in monumental circumstances as Hobart raced away to win the 1973 premiership by 20-points in the greatest boilover in Tasmanian football history.
By 1977 the club fell to second last on the ladder and in 1978 and 1979 the Club were to, once again, finish last, but turned it all around the following year under new coach Paul Sproule to firstly take out the Winfield Statewide Cup
, beating Clarence
in the Grand Final at North Hobart Oval
.
Hobart also won the TANFL
Premiership over Glenorchy
by 35-points in front of 17,111-fans – which to this day is the largest crowd to ever witness Hobart play.
1981 saw a further finals appearance but with legendary TFL and Victorian Football League
full forward Peter Hudson
coming out of retirement to boot 14-goals in the last three quarters for Glenorchy
the Tigers were to bow out in the First Semi Final.
1982 saw the Club enter more dark times with the TFL forcing the club to leave the TCA Ground
under new ground rationalisation plans for the League, Hobart were forced to play at Glenorchy
's KGV Oval
until 1986, whereby the club finished last between 1982–1985.
Hobart's first match in the new competition was against East Launceston (coached by Richard Spencer) at KGV Oval
on 5 April 1986. The Demons, who had had to adopt a different playing uniform because of a clash with North Hobart, had not received their playing uniforms by the time the Round 1 clash was due to be played and had to don a green and primrose State training jumper for the match.
In a high scoring game, East held sway for much of the day (making a mockery of their dreadful pre-season form), but it was Hobart who hurried home with a strong final quarter to hit the front in the dying minutes before a late goal for the Demons saw them snatch victory by 4 points – 18.24 (132) to 19.14 (128) – in a thriller before a crowd of only 922 people.
However, new coach Peter Hudson would instill much confidence in his young side which saw them win eight games in succession mid-season before falling away late in the season with two 100 point thrashings by eventual Grand Finallists Glenorchy and Sandy Bay.
The Tigers claimed fifth spot and made their first finals appearance since 1981 but were soundly beaten by 70-points by North Hobart
in the Elimination Final. 1987 saw Hobart play all of its home matches at the North Hobart Oval
and continue on in fine fashion making the finals.
Firstly defeating the Burnie Hawks in the Elimination Final at KGV Oval
on a thundery afternoon, the Tigers were up against the might of Clarence
the following week at the same venue in the 1st Semi Final.
In an enthralling game which was tight from the outset, Hobart's Alastair Lynch
(who later went onto have a stirring Australian Football League
career with Fitzroy
and the Brisbane Lions
) was felled by Clarence's Greg Farquhar deep into to time on and was stretchered from the field. Tiger full-forward (and the TFL's all-time greatest goalkicker) Wayne Fox
took the resultant free kick, but field umpire Haydyn Nielsen incorrectly failed to pay the manadatory 15-metre penalty after Farquahar was reported.
As history would have it, Fox struggling to get the distance on the kick missed slightly, seconds later the siren sounded and Hobart went down by 4 points with the vocal Tiger contingent in the 3,885-strong crowd roaring their enormous displeasure at the umpires after the match.
Former Sydney Swans
and South Melbourne legend Mark Browning
was to take over the reins at Hobart as captain-coach in 1988.
Attendances were continuing to rise and the onfield results continued to improve with the club sitting second on the ladder at the completion of round 11, 1988 after defeating North Hobart
by 114 points at North Hobart Oval
before losing six out of its last seven matches to incredibly, miss the finals.
The Tigers were solid throughout most of the 1989 season and made a barnstorming finish to make the Grand Final against North Hobart
, at one stage leading by 35points in the second quarter of the decider before the Demons raced away to win the premiership by 30 points.
In 1990 Hobart were to finally have their revenge, and assembling arguably their greatest ever squad, the Tigers won their first five matches of the season before suffering from a mid-season slump.
Hobart started to hit form after a strong win over Clarence
at Bellerive Oval
, then going on a rampage with a succession of solid wins leading into the finals series.
The Tigers lost the qualifying final to North Launceston at York Park
before recording thrilling victories over Sandy Bay
(first semi final) and Clarence
(preliminary final) before facing North Launceston again in the Grand Final.
After a tight first three quarters where both sides were level at the three-quarter time, Hobart produced arguably their most dominant quarter of football in their history, given the strong level of the competition at that time, booting 10–6 to 1–2 in the last quarter to win by 58 points.
After two further finals appearances in 1991 and 1992, the latter producing another Grand Final loss to North Hobart
, this time by 35 points. No further success was to come the Tigers way.
Former Melbourne Demons player Simon Eishold
was appointed Coach in 1993 but resigned before the season started and Greg Lane was given the nod as coach, during mid-season club legend Wayne Petterd was to take over the job after Lane resigned.
From 1993 Hobart Football Club were to flounder badly on the field, and in 1994 suffer from disastrous financial problems off field after running into massive debt with the Australian Taxation Office, also suffering from a large drop in attendances – Hobart's average home crowds from 1993–1996 fell to just over 920 – as on field performances remained poor.
Wayne Petterd resigned as coach after a heavy defeat to Launceston at the TCA Ground
in 1996 and former Clarence legend and William Leitch Medallist Gary Williamson became the club's last TFL coach.
An exodus of more the 40 players from the Tigers senior and reserves sides over the summer of 1996–1997 as doubts grew about the longterm viability of the club, the almost daily articles in the media pushing the club to merge and player dissatisfaction with the board saw Hobart sink to its knees.
Hobart were to field a very young side for the 1997 season, but failed to win a match in either the Senior or Reserves competition, with the Under 19's making it to the 1st Semi Final.
The TFL had already decided not to renew the club's license for 1998 after 53 seasons in the League, and there was news of an impending three-way merger between Hobart, Sandy Bay and North Hobart Football Club's for the 1998 season (talks later broke down and the three way partnership dissolved as North opted to go it alone in the TFL and Sandy Bay opted to close down).
The Hobart Tigers final TFL appearance was on 23 August 1997 where the Tigers lost 11.6 (72) to North Hobart 18.12 (120) at North Hobart Oval
.
(SFL) under coach Ray O'Rourke. As a prerequisite of joining the League the club were forced to abandon their traditional jumper and Tigers emblem because of Kingston already laying claim to that emblem in the League.
Hobart's first tentative steps into its new environment was a home match against Kingston at the TCA Ground on 11 April 1998.
The young Hobart side, after leading for much of the day were eventually overrun by a bigger bodied Kingston team by 17 points in front of 826 patrons.
1999 saw Hobart, under Steven Gilbee take out their first SFL premiership by defeating Brighton by 51 points at Huonville Recreation Ground before 3896 fans on Grand Final day. Hobart won a club record 18 wins for that season.
Hobart's 2000 campaign got underway in fine style winning 15 out of their first 16 matches (many by huge margins) for the season before a plethora of injury problems plagued the side late in the season.
Hobart finished minor premiers but were defeated by New Norfolk by 1 point in the first qualifying final, later defeating Cygnet by 70-points in the second semi final the following week before bowing out to eventual premier Kermandie in the rain at Pontville Oval in the Preliminary Final by 8 points.
The club continued to find heartbreak in finals, bowing out to Brighton in the first semi final in 2001 by one point.
The club failed to make the finals in 2002 and coach Steven Gillbee retired as player and coach, with the club giving him a stylish send off and a 55 point win over Glenorchy in the final roster match.
Hobart signed Michael "Jock" McGregor as coach in 2003 and the club had a rollercoaster season, winning several matches early in the season before winning just two out of its final ten matches going into the finals.
Hobart rallied to defeat Glenorchy by 22-points (elimination final), New Norfolk by 51 points (first semi final) and Clarence by 1 point in an epic Preliminary Final at North Hobart Oval
.
Grand Final day was a disastrous one for Hobart, who had three tough finals matches in the lead-up, including only a five day break between matches, whereby, its opponent North Hobart were well rested and were able to add listed Tasmanian Devils
players to its line up on the day.
The result saw North Hobart win by a record 110 points in front of a crowd just 4,289 people at North Hobart Oval
.
In 2004 Hobart were relatively uncompetitive for the greater part but scraped into the finals, playing Kingborough (Kingston) in the Elimination Final at North Hobart Oval
losing by 25 points, 9.14 (68) – 14.9 (93).
At the time of this match, strong rumour surrounded the club that this was to be the last match played by the club in its traditional colours.
A sizeable section of the club's membership, supporter base and players had felt that there was a strong conflict of interest within the SFL and in particular the League's General Manager Noel Morrison (who had close ties with the Kingborough Football Club) over the club's treatment and constant siding with Kingborough on the issue.
Members had also been unhappy for some time at the board's perceived failure to take a stand and make any reasonable attempt at regaining the club's identity and emplored with the new president to make every effort possible during 2003 to regain the former emblem and former playing strip.
Upon hearing the news that every effort would be made to fight the League and Kingborough over the denial of Hobart's true identity, membership almost doubled from the previous year.
However, there were rumblings within the club early in 2004 that moves were afoot to change the colours of the club and align itself with AFL clubs firstly St Kilda and later powerhouse Brisbane Lions
.
Many supporters showed their disappointment and crowd attendances plummeted rapidly during the season. Late in the season a group of senior players and outgoing coach Michael McGregor were making statements in the press agitating for change, which threatened to split an already fractured club even further.
In a bloody coup which split the club down the middle – and to this day there is still some bitterness over the situation amongst older supporters – a meeting on 1 December 2004 saw the club elect to adopt a Brisbane Lions
playing jumper and use the Lions logo in future. A large number of long-time supporters walked away in disgust and an extremely tense atmosphere existed between pro-Tiger and pro-Lions fans for several years after as the club's membership tally fell from 232 in 2003 to just 29 by 2008.
As a heavy pall hung over the club, crowd attendances and club memberships continued to slide miserably, the onfield performances continued to remain largely poor.
After the sacking of Ian Wilson during the 2006 season after a player revolt, the club embarked on recruiting 1990 Hobart premiership player and former Melbourne AFL
player Andrew Lamprill as his replacement as senior coach. Under Lamprill's tenure, the senior team made a strong improvement from that point in the season, winning a string of games, Lamprill's young squad eventually bowing out to New Norfolk in the First Semi Final at Boyer Oval.
Disappointment was to return in the following two seasons, both seasons seeing the Lions bowing out in largely uncompetitive circumstances in the Elimination Final to New Norfolk (2007) and Lauderdale (2008).
The final game for the Hobart Lions was the SFL Premier League
elimination final on 23 August 2008 which saw Lauderdale trounce the Lions 18.5 (113) to 9.12 (66) at the TCA Ground
.
After a meeting of club members, delegates and supporters, the club unanimously voted in August 2008 to leave the SFL Premier League and join the new league.
As a result of joining the TSL, the club voted at their AGM on 15 December 2008 to return to their original Tiger emblem and colours.
The club's first match in the reformed Tasmanian State League
competition took place on 10 April 2009 against eventual grand finalist Glenorchy at the TCA Ground
.
A crowd of more than 2,000 saw Glenorchy run rampant over an inexperienced Hobart team and win by 92 points.
The Tigers season improved somewhat as the year progressed, with the sacking of coach Todd Lewis mid-season, former player Graeme Fox took over and guided his young side to six wins for the season, the Tigers were still a credible shot at a finals position late in the season but narrow losses to Lauderdale (twice) and Devonport late in the season saw the team finish in eighth position.
After a tough start to the 2010 TSL season in which the Tigers faced the previous year's grand finalists (Clarence and Glenorchy) and an improved North Hobart side in the first three rounds and suffered from three heavy defeats, the young Hobart team began to show plenty of promise with victories over Lauderdale, Burnie, South Launceston and an inspiring victory over North Hobart under lights at a freezing Bellerive Oval to sit inside the top six for the first time by round 8 (and the first time the club had been inside the top half of the ladder in Statewide Football since 1992), but a costly mid-season slump in which Hobart would lose seven games in succession (and being in a position to win five of those in the latter stages) proved disastrous.
As somewhat of a pointer to Hobart's season of great inconsistency, the Tigers ended their seven match losing streak by thrashing finalist Glenorchy by 93 points at the TCA Ground
on 31 July, the victory was the largest Hobart had registered over New Town/Glenorchy in 65 years but they again suffered large defeats in their final two matches to finish in second-last place.
The club's 2011 season proved to be somewhat of an annus horribilus as constant speculation surrounded Hobart's future in the TSL competition post-2012 with AFL Tasmania
's threats firstly to relocate the club to Kingston's new Twin Ovals' Facility which would lead to an eventual takeover/amalgamation with the Kingborough Tigers
and later a concerted push to amalgamate the club with North Hobart
which was met with disapproval from both clubs' financial members.
AFL Tasmania has stated that there will be only one TSL license available for inner-city clubs after a review at the completion of the 2012 season.
Adding to the club's woes was an ugly slanging match in the media with the Hobart City Council over the poor standard of facilities at the TCA Ground, the club lambasting the Council over their perceived lack of activity in maintaining and improving facilities at their home ground.
With all the uncertainty surrounding the club, on-field performances were very poor with the club winning only three matches for the season whilst crowd numbers remained poor.
Whilst the club were competitive in many matches, an injury crisis during the middle part of the season saw an acute lack of depth exposed which resulted in a string of humiliating losses, including the Tigers heaviest defeat at the TCA Ground in the club's history (to Clarence by 133 points), scoring the lowest senior level score ever recorded at KGV
(going goalless for the third time in the club's history in dreadful conditions) and suffering from a humiliating loss away to a struggling South Launceston
.
The only highlights in an otherwise forgettable season for the Tigers were victories over struggling Devonport and Glenorchy (both at home) and an upset final round victory away to Lauderdale
to deny the young Bombers a maiden TSL finals appearance.
Following on from the 2011 season the club decided not to renew Coach Graeme Fox's contract and following an extensive application process Anthony McConnon was appointed as the new coach.
TANFL/TFL Statewide League runners-up
Tasmanian State premierships
Winfield Statewide Cup
champions
Southern Football League premierships
Southern Football League runners-up
Tasmanian State League premierships
Tasmanian State League runners-up
Darrel Baldock Medal winners
George Watt Medal winners
Major V. A. Geard Medal winners
D. R. Plaister Medal Winners
Tassie Medal winners
SFL leading goalkickers
Tasmanian State League leading goalkicker
Record home attendance – TFL Statewide League
Record finals attendance – TANFL
Record finals attendance – TFL Statewide League
Record finals attendance – Southern Football League
Club record quarter
Most goals in a match (individual)
Club record games holder
The longest serving coach is Mal Pascoe
, who coached the club for a period of nine seasons from 1959–1965 and again from 1978–1979.
Pascoe is also the leading premiership coach with Hobart, having coached the club to three flags in 1959, 1960 and 1963.
Jack Sullivan 1947, 1949 and 1950 along with Mal Pascoe
1959, 1960 and 1963 and Mark Browning 1989, 1990 and 1992 have all coached Hobart in three Grand Finals – the most by any Hobart senior coach.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club based in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Tasmania. They play their home fixtures at the TCA Ground
TCA Ground
The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
on the Queens Domain, in Hobart and from 2009, the club has been a member of the Tasmanian State League
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
.
Club history
The Hobart Football Club was formed at a meeting at The Continental in HobartHobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
on 19 December 1944, and became a playing member of the Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
(TFL) in 1945. Hobart played under the emblem 'Tigers' and wore a yellow and black playing strip. The Tigers lost every game in its first season under coach Cecil Geappen and were similarly unsuccessful in 1946. In 1947 Hobart made the Grand Final but were beaten by North Hobart
North Hobart Demons
The North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
.
The club were to become a prominent finalist over the following 20 years, missing out only twice between 1947–1966, along the way collecting six TFL premierships, a State Premiership
Tasmanian State Premiership
The Tasmanian State Premiership was an Australian rules football tournament which was competed originally between the reigning TFL/TANFL and NTFA premiers, with the NWFU joining in from 1954....
and losing four grand finals.
In 1966 Hobart defeated Glenorchy
Glenorchy Football Club
The Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:...
by 1 point in a thrilling Grand Final before 16,699 people. However, hard times were to hit the Tigers, with the club finishing on the bottom of the ladder from 1967–1971. In 1972 Hobart were languishing at the foot of the ladder midway through the season (and copping enormous press criticism) before staging a monumental comeback to win all bar one game from that point and making it to the Preliminary Final before losing to New Norfolk
New Norfolk Eagles
The New Norfolk District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Southern Football League, in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:Entry to Southern District Football Assoc* 1934Entry to TANFL/TFL* 1947...
by 4 points.
Appleton's Army of 1973
After a similarly poor start to 1973, Hobart under coach Allan Appleton managed to cobble together enough wins to scrape into the Final Four. After a series of thrilling victories during the finals series, the Tigers were to face up to the might of the Rodney OlssonRodney Olsson
Rodney Olsson is a former Australian rules footballer and coach who played with Hawthorn in the VFL during the 1960s.Olsson was a ruck-rover for Hawthorn but when he started his career he played as a half forward as well as on the half back flanks...
led Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay Football Club
The Sandy Bay Football Club was an Australian rules football club based in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia that participated in the Tasmanian Football League from 1945 to 1997.-Club History:...
machine.
The Seagulls, on the back of Premierships in 1971 and 1972 had won 20 consecutive matches in 1973 (24 in a row since 1972) and were considered the hottest premiership favourites in TFL
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
history.
So confident of success were Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay Football Club
The Sandy Bay Football Club was an Australian rules football club based in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia that participated in the Tasmanian Football League from 1945 to 1997.-Club History:...
, that their banner read "21 Today! 21 Today!" and they had organised a Premiership Dinner for several hundred people at Wrest Point for that evening.
Hobart came out and put relentless pressure on Sandy Bay, and as history would have it, Appleton's Army stunned the 14,720-people on Grand Final Day. Sandy Bay were to crack in monumental circumstances as Hobart raced away to win the 1973 premiership by 20-points in the greatest boilover in Tasmanian football history.
The 1970s and beyond
Hobart were to have more finals appearances, both resulted in First Semi Final losses in 1975 and 1976 but troubles were looming on the horizon.By 1977 the club fell to second last on the ladder and in 1978 and 1979 the Club were to, once again, finish last, but turned it all around the following year under new coach Paul Sproule to firstly take out the Winfield Statewide Cup
Winfield Statewide Cup
The Winfield Statewide Cup was an Australian rules football tournament held in Tasmania, Australia between the top twenty-one major football clubs across Tasmania from the three major footballing bodies across the state , the TANFL, the NTFA and the NWFU.The tournament was played in a five round...
, beating Clarence
Clarence Football Club
The Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
in the Grand Final at North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
.
Hobart also won the TANFL
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
Premiership over Glenorchy
Glenorchy Football Club
The Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:...
by 35-points in front of 17,111-fans – which to this day is the largest crowd to ever witness Hobart play.
1981 saw a further finals appearance but with legendary TFL and Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
full forward Peter Hudson
Peter Hudson
Peter John Hudson AM is a former Australian Rules Football player, considered one of the greatest full-forwards in the game's history....
coming out of retirement to boot 14-goals in the last three quarters for Glenorchy
Glenorchy Football Club
The Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:...
the Tigers were to bow out in the First Semi Final.
1982 saw the Club enter more dark times with the TFL forcing the club to leave the TCA Ground
TCA Ground
The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
under new ground rationalisation plans for the League, Hobart were forced to play at Glenorchy
Glenorchy Football Club
The Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:...
's KGV Oval
KGV Oval
The KGV Oval is the home headquarters of the Glenorchy football and cricket clubs, as well as the Southern Football LeagueThe ground is a former TFL and now Tasmanian State League and also a Southern Football League finals venue....
until 1986, whereby the club finished last between 1982–1985.
The Statewide League era
1986 heralded many changes to the competition, the TANFL was no longer, and a new Statewide League incorporating the six former TANFL clubs along with NTFA rivals North Launceston and East Launceston was fashioned.Hobart's first match in the new competition was against East Launceston (coached by Richard Spencer) at KGV Oval
KGV Oval
The KGV Oval is the home headquarters of the Glenorchy football and cricket clubs, as well as the Southern Football LeagueThe ground is a former TFL and now Tasmanian State League and also a Southern Football League finals venue....
on 5 April 1986. The Demons, who had had to adopt a different playing uniform because of a clash with North Hobart, had not received their playing uniforms by the time the Round 1 clash was due to be played and had to don a green and primrose State training jumper for the match.
In a high scoring game, East held sway for much of the day (making a mockery of their dreadful pre-season form), but it was Hobart who hurried home with a strong final quarter to hit the front in the dying minutes before a late goal for the Demons saw them snatch victory by 4 points – 18.24 (132) to 19.14 (128) – in a thriller before a crowd of only 922 people.
However, new coach Peter Hudson would instill much confidence in his young side which saw them win eight games in succession mid-season before falling away late in the season with two 100 point thrashings by eventual Grand Finallists Glenorchy and Sandy Bay.
The Tigers claimed fifth spot and made their first finals appearance since 1981 but were soundly beaten by 70-points by North Hobart
North Hobart Demons
The North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
in the Elimination Final. 1987 saw Hobart play all of its home matches at the North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
and continue on in fine fashion making the finals.
Firstly defeating the Burnie Hawks in the Elimination Final at KGV Oval
KGV Oval
The KGV Oval is the home headquarters of the Glenorchy football and cricket clubs, as well as the Southern Football LeagueThe ground is a former TFL and now Tasmanian State League and also a Southern Football League finals venue....
on a thundery afternoon, the Tigers were up against the might of Clarence
Clarence Football Club
The Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
the following week at the same venue in the 1st Semi Final.
In an enthralling game which was tight from the outset, Hobart's Alastair Lynch
Alastair Lynch
Alastair Graeme Lynch is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League . He is best known as a three time premiership full-forward for the Brisbane Lions....
(who later went onto have a stirring Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
career with Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
and the Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
) was felled by Clarence's Greg Farquhar deep into to time on and was stretchered from the field. Tiger full-forward (and the TFL's all-time greatest goalkicker) Wayne Fox
Wayne Fox
Wayne 'Baldy' Fox is a former Australian rules footballer who played for various clubs in the Tasmanian Australian National Football League and later, the TFL Statewide League...
took the resultant free kick, but field umpire Haydyn Nielsen incorrectly failed to pay the manadatory 15-metre penalty after Farquahar was reported.
As history would have it, Fox struggling to get the distance on the kick missed slightly, seconds later the siren sounded and Hobart went down by 4 points with the vocal Tiger contingent in the 3,885-strong crowd roaring their enormous displeasure at the umpires after the match.
Former Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
and South Melbourne legend Mark Browning
Mark Browning
Mark Browning is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans from 1975 to 1987. He won the club's best and fairest award in 1983 and captained the Swans for the following two seasons....
was to take over the reins at Hobart as captain-coach in 1988.
Attendances were continuing to rise and the onfield results continued to improve with the club sitting second on the ladder at the completion of round 11, 1988 after defeating North Hobart
North Hobart Demons
The North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
by 114 points at North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
before losing six out of its last seven matches to incredibly, miss the finals.
The Tigers were solid throughout most of the 1989 season and made a barnstorming finish to make the Grand Final against North Hobart
North Hobart Demons
The North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
, at one stage leading by 35points in the second quarter of the decider before the Demons raced away to win the premiership by 30 points.
In 1990 Hobart were to finally have their revenge, and assembling arguably their greatest ever squad, the Tigers won their first five matches of the season before suffering from a mid-season slump.
Hobart started to hit form after a strong win over Clarence
Clarence Football Club
The Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
at Bellerive Oval
Bellerive Oval
Bellerive Oval, also known as its sponsored name Blundstone Arena, is primarily a cricket and Australian Rules Football ground located in Bellerive, City of Clarence, on the eastern shore of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia...
, then going on a rampage with a succession of solid wins leading into the finals series.
The Tigers lost the qualifying final to North Launceston at York Park
Aurora Stadium
York Park is a sports ground in the Inveresk and York Park Precinct, Launceston, Australia. Holding 20,000 people—more than any other stadium in Tasmania—York Park has been known as Aurora Stadium under a six-year naming rights agreement signed with Aurora Energy in 2004...
before recording thrilling victories over Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay, Tasmania
Sandy Bay is a suburb of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, located immediately south of the central business district.The suburb is home to many large homes, and adjoins the waterfront Salamanca area and Battery Point. The suburb is known as one of the city's prestigious areas...
(first semi final) and Clarence
Clarence Football Club
The Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
(preliminary final) before facing North Launceston again in the Grand Final.
After a tight first three quarters where both sides were level at the three-quarter time, Hobart produced arguably their most dominant quarter of football in their history, given the strong level of the competition at that time, booting 10–6 to 1–2 in the last quarter to win by 58 points.
After two further finals appearances in 1991 and 1992, the latter producing another Grand Final loss to North Hobart
North Hobart Demons
The North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
, this time by 35 points. No further success was to come the Tigers way.
Former Melbourne Demons player Simon Eishold
Simon Eishold
Simon Eishold is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and Richmond in the Victorian/Australian Football League ....
was appointed Coach in 1993 but resigned before the season started and Greg Lane was given the nod as coach, during mid-season club legend Wayne Petterd was to take over the job after Lane resigned.
From 1993 Hobart Football Club were to flounder badly on the field, and in 1994 suffer from disastrous financial problems off field after running into massive debt with the Australian Taxation Office, also suffering from a large drop in attendances – Hobart's average home crowds from 1993–1996 fell to just over 920 – as on field performances remained poor.
Wayne Petterd resigned as coach after a heavy defeat to Launceston at the TCA Ground
TCA Ground
The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
in 1996 and former Clarence legend and William Leitch Medallist Gary Williamson became the club's last TFL coach.
An exodus of more the 40 players from the Tigers senior and reserves sides over the summer of 1996–1997 as doubts grew about the longterm viability of the club, the almost daily articles in the media pushing the club to merge and player dissatisfaction with the board saw Hobart sink to its knees.
Hobart were to field a very young side for the 1997 season, but failed to win a match in either the Senior or Reserves competition, with the Under 19's making it to the 1st Semi Final.
The TFL had already decided not to renew the club's license for 1998 after 53 seasons in the League, and there was news of an impending three-way merger between Hobart, Sandy Bay and North Hobart Football Club's for the 1998 season (talks later broke down and the three way partnership dissolved as North opted to go it alone in the TFL and Sandy Bay opted to close down).
The Hobart Tigers final TFL appearance was on 23 August 1997 where the Tigers lost 11.6 (72) to North Hobart 18.12 (120) at North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
.
Hobart rises from the ashes
1998 saw Hobart join the Southern Football LeagueSouthern Football League (Tasmania)
The Southern Football League is an Australian rules football league which is based in Tasmania, Australia.- History :The Southern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1996 with the league's original clubs being those of the recently defunct Tasmanian Amateur Football League – Southern Division...
(SFL) under coach Ray O'Rourke. As a prerequisite of joining the League the club were forced to abandon their traditional jumper and Tigers emblem because of Kingston already laying claim to that emblem in the League.
Hobart's first tentative steps into its new environment was a home match against Kingston at the TCA Ground on 11 April 1998.
The young Hobart side, after leading for much of the day were eventually overrun by a bigger bodied Kingston team by 17 points in front of 826 patrons.
1999 saw Hobart, under Steven Gilbee take out their first SFL premiership by defeating Brighton by 51 points at Huonville Recreation Ground before 3896 fans on Grand Final day. Hobart won a club record 18 wins for that season.
Hobart's 2000 campaign got underway in fine style winning 15 out of their first 16 matches (many by huge margins) for the season before a plethora of injury problems plagued the side late in the season.
Hobart finished minor premiers but were defeated by New Norfolk by 1 point in the first qualifying final, later defeating Cygnet by 70-points in the second semi final the following week before bowing out to eventual premier Kermandie in the rain at Pontville Oval in the Preliminary Final by 8 points.
The club continued to find heartbreak in finals, bowing out to Brighton in the first semi final in 2001 by one point.
The club failed to make the finals in 2002 and coach Steven Gillbee retired as player and coach, with the club giving him a stylish send off and a 55 point win over Glenorchy in the final roster match.
Hobart signed Michael "Jock" McGregor as coach in 2003 and the club had a rollercoaster season, winning several matches early in the season before winning just two out of its final ten matches going into the finals.
Hobart rallied to defeat Glenorchy by 22-points (elimination final), New Norfolk by 51 points (first semi final) and Clarence by 1 point in an epic Preliminary Final at North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
.
Grand Final day was a disastrous one for Hobart, who had three tough finals matches in the lead-up, including only a five day break between matches, whereby, its opponent North Hobart were well rested and were able to add listed Tasmanian Devils
Tasmanian Devils Football Club
Tasmania Football Club, nicknamed The Devils, was an Australian rules football club which competed in the Victorian Football League in Australia. Formed in 2001, it was the youngest and the only non-Victorian club in the league. The club was based in the state of Tasmania at Bellerive Oval and was...
players to its line up on the day.
The result saw North Hobart win by a record 110 points in front of a crowd just 4,289 people at North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
.
In 2004 Hobart were relatively uncompetitive for the greater part but scraped into the finals, playing Kingborough (Kingston) in the Elimination Final at North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
losing by 25 points, 9.14 (68) – 14.9 (93).
At the time of this match, strong rumour surrounded the club that this was to be the last match played by the club in its traditional colours.
A Tiger or a Lion?
After five seasons without their beloved Tiger identity, Hobart's financial members voted for incumbent president Phillip Baker to take over the top job after John Blake (1998–2002) resigned from his position at the end of that season.A sizeable section of the club's membership, supporter base and players had felt that there was a strong conflict of interest within the SFL and in particular the League's General Manager Noel Morrison (who had close ties with the Kingborough Football Club) over the club's treatment and constant siding with Kingborough on the issue.
Members had also been unhappy for some time at the board's perceived failure to take a stand and make any reasonable attempt at regaining the club's identity and emplored with the new president to make every effort possible during 2003 to regain the former emblem and former playing strip.
Upon hearing the news that every effort would be made to fight the League and Kingborough over the denial of Hobart's true identity, membership almost doubled from the previous year.
However, there were rumblings within the club early in 2004 that moves were afoot to change the colours of the club and align itself with AFL clubs firstly St Kilda and later powerhouse Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
.
Many supporters showed their disappointment and crowd attendances plummeted rapidly during the season. Late in the season a group of senior players and outgoing coach Michael McGregor were making statements in the press agitating for change, which threatened to split an already fractured club even further.
In a bloody coup which split the club down the middle – and to this day there is still some bitterness over the situation amongst older supporters – a meeting on 1 December 2004 saw the club elect to adopt a Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
playing jumper and use the Lions logo in future. A large number of long-time supporters walked away in disgust and an extremely tense atmosphere existed between pro-Tiger and pro-Lions fans for several years after as the club's membership tally fell from 232 in 2003 to just 29 by 2008.
The Lion years: 2005–2008
The Lions first season was a poor one missing the finals and winning few games under new coach Ian Wilson.As a heavy pall hung over the club, crowd attendances and club memberships continued to slide miserably, the onfield performances continued to remain largely poor.
After the sacking of Ian Wilson during the 2006 season after a player revolt, the club embarked on recruiting 1990 Hobart premiership player and former Melbourne AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
player Andrew Lamprill as his replacement as senior coach. Under Lamprill's tenure, the senior team made a strong improvement from that point in the season, winning a string of games, Lamprill's young squad eventually bowing out to New Norfolk in the First Semi Final at Boyer Oval.
Disappointment was to return in the following two seasons, both seasons seeing the Lions bowing out in largely uncompetitive circumstances in the Elimination Final to New Norfolk (2007) and Lauderdale (2008).
The final game for the Hobart Lions was the SFL Premier League
Southern Football League (Tasmania)
The Southern Football League is an Australian rules football league which is based in Tasmania, Australia.- History :The Southern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1996 with the league's original clubs being those of the recently defunct Tasmanian Amateur Football League – Southern Division...
elimination final on 23 August 2008 which saw Lauderdale trounce the Lions 18.5 (113) to 9.12 (66) at the TCA Ground
TCA Ground
The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
.
Hobart joins the TSL: The Tiger returns
In 2008, The Hobart Football Club received an official invitation from AFL Tasmania to join a revamped Statewide competition named the Tasmanian State League in 2009.After a meeting of club members, delegates and supporters, the club unanimously voted in August 2008 to leave the SFL Premier League and join the new league.
As a result of joining the TSL, the club voted at their AGM on 15 December 2008 to return to their original Tiger emblem and colours.
The club's first match in the reformed Tasmanian State League
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
competition took place on 10 April 2009 against eventual grand finalist Glenorchy at the TCA Ground
TCA Ground
The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
.
A crowd of more than 2,000 saw Glenorchy run rampant over an inexperienced Hobart team and win by 92 points.
The Tigers season improved somewhat as the year progressed, with the sacking of coach Todd Lewis mid-season, former player Graeme Fox took over and guided his young side to six wins for the season, the Tigers were still a credible shot at a finals position late in the season but narrow losses to Lauderdale (twice) and Devonport late in the season saw the team finish in eighth position.
After a tough start to the 2010 TSL season in which the Tigers faced the previous year's grand finalists (Clarence and Glenorchy) and an improved North Hobart side in the first three rounds and suffered from three heavy defeats, the young Hobart team began to show plenty of promise with victories over Lauderdale, Burnie, South Launceston and an inspiring victory over North Hobart under lights at a freezing Bellerive Oval to sit inside the top six for the first time by round 8 (and the first time the club had been inside the top half of the ladder in Statewide Football since 1992), but a costly mid-season slump in which Hobart would lose seven games in succession (and being in a position to win five of those in the latter stages) proved disastrous.
As somewhat of a pointer to Hobart's season of great inconsistency, the Tigers ended their seven match losing streak by thrashing finalist Glenorchy by 93 points at the TCA Ground
TCA Ground
The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
on 31 July, the victory was the largest Hobart had registered over New Town/Glenorchy in 65 years but they again suffered large defeats in their final two matches to finish in second-last place.
The club's 2011 season proved to be somewhat of an annus horribilus as constant speculation surrounded Hobart's future in the TSL competition post-2012 with AFL Tasmania
AFL Tasmania
AFL Tasmania is the governing body for Australian rules football in Tasmania.The organisation is responsible for game development in the state. The organisation recently became affiliated with the Australian Football League and was formerly known as Football Tasmania.The body is responsible for...
's threats firstly to relocate the club to Kingston's new Twin Ovals' Facility which would lead to an eventual takeover/amalgamation with the Kingborough Tigers
Kingborough Tigers
The Kingborough Football Club is an Australian rules football club, based at Kingston, Tasmania and currently playing in the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Club Origins:...
and later a concerted push to amalgamate the club with North Hobart
North Hobart Demons
The North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
which was met with disapproval from both clubs' financial members.
AFL Tasmania has stated that there will be only one TSL license available for inner-city clubs after a review at the completion of the 2012 season.
Adding to the club's woes was an ugly slanging match in the media with the Hobart City Council over the poor standard of facilities at the TCA Ground, the club lambasting the Council over their perceived lack of activity in maintaining and improving facilities at their home ground.
With all the uncertainty surrounding the club, on-field performances were very poor with the club winning only three matches for the season whilst crowd numbers remained poor.
Whilst the club were competitive in many matches, an injury crisis during the middle part of the season saw an acute lack of depth exposed which resulted in a string of humiliating losses, including the Tigers heaviest defeat at the TCA Ground in the club's history (to Clarence by 133 points), scoring the lowest senior level score ever recorded at KGV
KGV Oval
The KGV Oval is the home headquarters of the Glenorchy football and cricket clubs, as well as the Southern Football LeagueThe ground is a former TFL and now Tasmanian State League and also a Southern Football League finals venue....
(going goalless for the third time in the club's history in dreadful conditions) and suffering from a humiliating loss away to a struggling South Launceston
South Launceston Football Club
The South Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently competing in the Tasmanian Football League. They were formed through a merger between City-South and East Launceston in 1986, former Northern Tasmanian Football Association clubs...
.
The only highlights in an otherwise forgettable season for the Tigers were victories over struggling Devonport and Glenorchy (both at home) and an upset final round victory away to Lauderdale
Lauderdale Football Club
Lauderdale Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in the Hobart, beachside suburb of Lauderdale.-History:The Lauderdale Football Club was formed in 1948 and were known as the Lauderdale Cats until 2004 when Australian Football League team Essendon Bombers aligned with Lauderdale,...
to deny the young Bombers a maiden TSL finals appearance.
Following on from the 2011 season the club decided not to renew Coach Graeme Fox's contract and following an extensive application process Anthony McConnon was appointed as the new coach.
Affiliations
- TANFLTasmanian Football LeagueTasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
(1945–1985), TFL Statewide LeagueStatewide Football in TasmaniaStatewide Australian Rules football competition has been played in Tasmania, Australia under the umbrella of the Tasmanian Football League from 1986–1998, Football Tasmania from 1999-2000 until the competition was disbanded in December 2000 and AFL Tasmania from 2009 when a brand new ten club...
(1986–1997), SFL/SFL Premier LeagueSouthern Football League (Tasmania)The Southern Football League is an Australian rules football league which is based in Tasmania, Australia.- History :The Southern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1996 with the league's original clubs being those of the recently defunct Tasmanian Amateur Football League – Southern Division...
(1998–2008), TSLTasmanian Football LeagueTasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
(2009–present)
Home grounds and information
- TCA GroundTCA GroundThe TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
– 1946 (part)–1954, 1961–1982, 1995 (1 match), 1996 (3 matches) and 1998–present - KGV Football ParkKGV OvalThe KGV Oval is the home headquarters of the Glenorchy football and cricket clubs, as well as the Southern Football LeagueThe ground is a former TFL and now Tasmanian State League and also a Southern Football League finals venue....
– 1983–1986 (part) - North Hobart OvalNorth Hobart OvalNorth Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
– 1945–1946 (part), 1955–1960 and 1986 (part)–1997 - Club Formed – 19 December 1944
- Colours – Black and gold
- Emblem – Tigers
- Club song – "Hobart Forever BoysHobart Forever BoysHobart Forever Boys is the theme song of the Hobart Football Club, played after a victory at a home game or final.It is sung to the tune of Anchors Aweigh...
!" (Tune: Anchors AweighAnchors Aweigh"Anchors Aweigh" is the fight song of the United States Naval Academy, and strongly associated with the United States Navy, composed in 1906 by Charles A. Zimmerman with lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles. Zimmerman was at the time a Lieutenant, and had been bandmaster of the United States Naval Academy...
)
Premiership titles
TANFL/TFL Statewide League premierships- 1950, 1954, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1973, 1980, 1990
TANFL/TFL Statewide League runners-up
- 1947, 1949, 1952, 1955, 1989, 1992
Tasmanian State premierships
- 1959
Winfield Statewide Cup
Winfield Statewide Cup
The Winfield Statewide Cup was an Australian rules football tournament held in Tasmania, Australia between the top twenty-one major football clubs across Tasmania from the three major footballing bodies across the state , the TANFL, the NTFA and the NWFU.The tournament was played in a five round...
champions
- 1980
Southern Football League premierships
- 1999
Southern Football League runners-up
- 2003
Tasmanian State League premierships
- Nil.
Tasmanian State League runners-up
- Nil.
Medal winners
William Leitch Medal winners- 1947 – Jack Sullivan
- 1957 – Trevor LeoTrevor LeoTrevor Leo was an Australian rules footballer from Tasmania. He played for Hobart and New Norfolk in the TFL during the 1950s and 1960s.Rover Trevor Leo came to Hobart from Cooee where he was a Best and fairest winner. He made his Hobart debut in 1954 and was a member of their premiership side that...
- 1959 – Mal PascoeMal PascoeMalcolm L. "Mal" Pascoe is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.He played 94 senior VFL games for the Essendon Football Club from 1953 to 1958, and played 177 senior TANFL games for the Hobart Football Club from 1959 to 1966....
- 1964 – David Sullivan
- 1965 – Burnie PayneBurnie PayneBurnet 'Burnie' Payne is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hobart in the Tasmanian National Football League and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League...
- 1966 – Burnie PayneBurnie PayneBurnet 'Burnie' Payne is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hobart in the Tasmanian National Football League and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League...
- 1984 – Scott WadeScott WadeScott Wade is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League during the early 1980s....
Darrel Baldock Medal winners
- 1990 – Michael Winter
George Watt Medal winners
- 1952 – Joe Whittle
- 1972 – Garry Rogers
- 1982 – Steven Strong
Major V. A. Geard Medal winners
- 1944 – Don Foster (Macalburn)
- 1945 – Max Walker (Macalburn)
- 1946 – Alan Hughes (Macalburn)
- 1947 – Alan Hughes (Macalburn)
- 1953 – A. Unsworth (Macalburn)
- 1961 – Ian StewartIan Stewart (Australian rules footballer)Ian Harlow Stewart , son of Aldo Liberale Cervi and Anita Cervi who separated three years after his birth, is a former Australian rules footballer with Hobart in the Tasmanian Football League , and in the Victorian Football League with St Kilda and Richmond...
(Macalburn) - 1972 – Garry Whittle
- 1978 – Justin McIntyre
- 1984 – Craig Randall
- 1989 – Damian Goss
- 1991 – Justin Goc
D. R. Plaister Medal Winners
- 1986 – Simon Sproule
Tassie Medal winners
Competition leading goalkickers
TANFL/TFL Statewide League leading goalkicker- 1953 – Bernie WaldronBernie WaldronBernie Waldron was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League during the early 1940s....
(47) - 1959 – Mal PascoeMal PascoeMalcolm L. "Mal" Pascoe is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.He played 94 senior VFL games for the Essendon Football Club from 1953 to 1958, and played 177 senior TANFL games for the Hobart Football Club from 1959 to 1966....
(75) - 1960 – Mal PascoeMal PascoeMalcolm L. "Mal" Pascoe is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.He played 94 senior VFL games for the Essendon Football Club from 1953 to 1958, and played 177 senior TANFL games for the Hobart Football Club from 1959 to 1966....
(57) - 1977 – Col Smith (49)
- 1980 – Paul Courto (86)
- 1986 – Wayne FoxWayne FoxWayne 'Baldy' Fox is a former Australian rules footballer who played for various clubs in the Tasmanian Australian National Football League and later, the TFL Statewide League...
(105) - 1987 – Wayne FoxWayne FoxWayne 'Baldy' Fox is a former Australian rules footballer who played for various clubs in the Tasmanian Australian National Football League and later, the TFL Statewide League...
(80) (three-way tie) - 1993 – Keith Robinson (76)
SFL leading goalkickers
- 1999 – Dale Hall (88)
Tasmanian State League leading goalkicker
Club attendance records
Record home attendance – TANFL- 8,760 v New TownGlenorchy Football ClubThe Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:...
on 14 June 1949 at North Hobart OvalNorth Hobart OvalNorth Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing... - 5,675 v North HobartNorth Hobart DemonsThe North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
on 5 July 1947 at TCA GroundTCA GroundThe TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
Record home attendance – TFL Statewide League
- 3,344 v ClarenceClarence Football ClubThe Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
on 5 May 1990 at North Hobart OvalNorth Hobart OvalNorth Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
Record finals attendance – TANFL
- 17,111 v GlenorchyGlenorchy Football ClubThe Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:...
on 22 September 1980 (1980 TANFL1980 TANFL seasonThe 1980 Tasmanian Australian National Football League premiership season was an Australian rules football competition staged in Hobart, Tasmania over fifteen roster rounds and four finals series matches between 24 May and 20 September 1980....
Grand Final) at North Hobart OvalNorth Hobart OvalNorth Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
Record finals attendance – TFL Statewide League
- 16,528 v North HobartNorth Hobart DemonsThe North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
on 16 September 1989 (1989 TFL Statewide League1989 TFL Statewide League SeasonThe 1989 TFL Statewide League premiership season was an Australian rules football competition staged across Tasmania, Australia over eighteen roster rounds and six finals series matches between 1 April and 16 September 1989....
Grand Final) at North Hobart OvalNorth Hobart OvalNorth Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
Record finals attendance – Southern Football League
- 4,289 v North HobartNorth Hobart DemonsThe North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
on 20 September 2003 (2003 SFLSouthern Football League (Tasmania)The Southern Football League is an Australian rules football league which is based in Tasmania, Australia.- History :The Southern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1996 with the league's original clubs being those of the recently defunct Tasmanian Amateur Football League – Southern Division...
Grand Final) at North Hobart OvalNorth Hobart OvalNorth Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
Club record scores
Club record score- TFLTasmanian Football LeagueTasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
31.17 (203) v Sth LauncestonSouth Launceston Football ClubThe South Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently competing in the Tasmanian Football League. They were formed through a merger between City-South and East Launceston in 1986, former Northern Tasmanian Football Association clubs...
15.21 (111) on 25 August 1990 at York Park - SFLSouthern Football League (Tasmania)The Southern Football League is an Australian rules football league which is based in Tasmania, Australia.- History :The Southern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1996 with the league's original clubs being those of the recently defunct Tasmanian Amateur Football League – Southern Division...
36.14 (230) v ChannelChannel SaintsThe Channel Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playingin the Old Scholars Football Association , also known as Old Scholars...
10.6 (66) on 22 April 2000 at TCA GroundTCA GroundThe TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia... - TSLTasmanian Football LeagueTasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
25.13 (163) v DevonportDevonport Football ClubDevonport Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Devonport, Tasmania. The club previously competed in the Northern Tasmanian Football League but from 2009 it joined the newly reformed Tasmanian State League....
11.5 (71) on 7 May 2011 at TCA GroundTCA GroundThe TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
Club record quarter
- TFLTasmanian Football LeagueTasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
13.3 (81) v North LauncestonNorth Launceston Football ClubThe North Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Launceston, Tasmania. Australia. Since 2009 they have played in the newly formed Tasmanian State League.-History:...
(4th Quarter) on 19 July 1986 at York Park - SFLSouthern Football LeagueThe Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
14.3 (87) v ChannelChannel SaintsThe Channel Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playingin the Old Scholars Football Association , also known as Old Scholars...
(4th Quarter) on 22 April 2000 at TCA GroundTCA GroundThe TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia... - TSLTasmanian Football LeagueTasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
10.1 (61) v DevonportDevonport Football ClubDevonport Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Devonport, Tasmania. The club previously competed in the Northern Tasmanian Football League but from 2009 it joined the newly reformed Tasmanian State League....
(4th Quarter) on 7 May 2011 at TCA GroundTCA GroundThe TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
Most goals in a match (individual)
- 15.3
– Bernie WaldronBernie WaldronBernie Waldron was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League during the early 1940s....
– Hobart v ClarenceClarence Football ClubThe Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
on 30 August 1952 at TCA GroundTCA GroundThe TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two First Class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia...
Club record games holder
- 288 – Justin Harvey (1995–present)
- 287 – D. K. "Kerry" Wilson (1961–1975)
Senior coaches
The Hobart Football Club has had twenty-nine senior coaches in its sixty-six year history.The longest serving coach is Mal Pascoe
Mal Pascoe
Malcolm L. "Mal" Pascoe is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.He played 94 senior VFL games for the Essendon Football Club from 1953 to 1958, and played 177 senior TANFL games for the Hobart Football Club from 1959 to 1966....
, who coached the club for a period of nine seasons from 1959–1965 and again from 1978–1979.
Pascoe is also the leading premiership coach with Hobart, having coached the club to three flags in 1959, 1960 and 1963.
Jack Sullivan 1947, 1949 and 1950 along with Mal Pascoe
Mal Pascoe
Malcolm L. "Mal" Pascoe is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.He played 94 senior VFL games for the Essendon Football Club from 1953 to 1958, and played 177 senior TANFL games for the Hobart Football Club from 1959 to 1966....
1959, 1960 and 1963 and Mark Browning 1989, 1990 and 1992 have all coached Hobart in three Grand Finals – the most by any Hobart senior coach.
- 1945 – Cecil Geappen
- 1946 – Ron Savage
- 1946 – Noel Gray Snr.
- 1947–1950 – Jack Sullivan
- 1951–1953 – Bill Tonks
- 1954–1958 – Bill Williams
- 1959–1965 – Mal PascoeMal PascoeMalcolm L. "Mal" Pascoe is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.He played 94 senior VFL games for the Essendon Football Club from 1953 to 1958, and played 177 senior TANFL games for the Hobart Football Club from 1959 to 1966....
- 1966–1968 – John Watts
- 1969–1970 – Burnie PayneBurnie PayneBurnet 'Burnie' Payne is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hobart in the Tasmanian National Football League and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League...
- 1971–1972 – Dennis MunariDennis MunariDennis Munari is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton and North Melbourne in the VFL.Munari joined Carlton in 1967 from Assumption College and was the second rover to Adrian Gallagher in Carlton's premiership side the following season...
- 1972–1973 – Alan Appleton
- 1974 – Trevor LeoTrevor LeoTrevor Leo was an Australian rules footballer from Tasmania. He played for Hobart and New Norfolk in the TFL during the 1950s and 1960s.Rover Trevor Leo came to Hobart from Cooee where he was a Best and fairest winner. He made his Hobart debut in 1954 and was a member of their premiership side that...
- 1975–1976 – David Harris
- 1977 – Barry GrinterBarry GrinterBarry W. Grinter is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon and Richmond in the Victorian Football League during the 1970s....
- 1978–1979 – Mal PascoeMal PascoeMalcolm L. "Mal" Pascoe is a former Australian rules footballer and coach.He played 94 senior VFL games for the Essendon Football Club from 1953 to 1958, and played 177 senior TANFL games for the Hobart Football Club from 1959 to 1966....
- 1980–1981 – Paul Sproule
- 1982–1983 – Bruce Greenhill
- 1984–1985 – Scott WadeScott WadeScott Wade is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League during the early 1980s....
- 1986–1987 – Peter HudsonPeter HudsonPeter John Hudson AM is a former Australian Rules Football player, considered one of the greatest full-forwards in the game's history....
- 1988–1992 – Mark BrowningMark BrowningMark Browning is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans from 1975 to 1987. He won the club's best and fairest award in 1983 and captained the Swans for the following two seasons....
- 1993 – Greg Lane
- 1993–1996 – Wayne Petterd
- 1996–1997 – Gary Williamson
- 1998 – Ray O'Rourke
- 1999–2002 – Steve Gillbee
- 2003–2004 – Michael McGregor
- 2005–2006 – Ian Wilson
- 2006–2007 – Andrew Lamprill
- 2008–2009 – Todd Lewis
- 2009–2011 – Graeme Fox
- 2012–present – Anthony McConnon
Senior best and fairest winners
- 1945 – N. Atkins
- 1946 – Harold Bailey
- 1947 – Jack Sullivan
- 1948 – R. Verrier
- 1949 – Alan Hughes
- 1950 – Alan Hughes
- 1951 – Alan Hughes
- 1952 – Paddy Williams
- 1953 – L. Synott
- 1954 – Terry Risely
- 1955 – J. Golding
- 1956 – Kevin Free
- 1957 – Trevor LeoTrevor LeoTrevor Leo was an Australian rules footballer from Tasmania. He played for Hobart and New Norfolk in the TFL during the 1950s and 1960s.Rover Trevor Leo came to Hobart from Cooee where he was a Best and fairest winner. He made his Hobart debut in 1954 and was a member of their premiership side that...
- 1958 – Ray Hill
- 1959 – Dennis Powell
- 1960 – Trevor LeoTrevor LeoTrevor Leo was an Australian rules footballer from Tasmania. He played for Hobart and New Norfolk in the TFL during the 1950s and 1960s.Rover Trevor Leo came to Hobart from Cooee where he was a Best and fairest winner. He made his Hobart debut in 1954 and was a member of their premiership side that...
- 1961 – Dennis Powell
- 1962 – Dennis Powell
- 1963 – Burnie PayneBurnie PayneBurnet 'Burnie' Payne is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hobart in the Tasmanian National Football League and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League...
- 1964 – David Sullivan
- 1965 – Dennis Powell
- 1966 – Dennis Powell
- 1967 – Dennis Powell
- 1968 – Noel Mewett
- 1969 – "Kerry" Wilson
- 1970 – Glenn Burrill
- 1971 – Malcolm Bugg
- 1972 – Robbie Claridge
- 1973 – Malcolm Bugg
- 1974 – John EminJohn EminJohn Emin is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League .Emin's Essendon career was brief, consisting of two games late in the 1973 VFL season and an Elimination Final loss to St Kilda, where he kicked his only career goal...
- 1975 – Michael Krause
- 1976 – Ross Wright
- 1977 – Kelvin Anderson
- 1978 – Murray Dickson
- 1979 – Warren Cripps
- 1980 – Scott WadeScott WadeScott Wade is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League during the early 1980s....
- 1981 – Wayne Petterd, Chris Fagan and Kelvin Anderson
- 1982 – Tony Marchant
- 1983 – Greg Thirgood
- 1984 – Scott WadeScott WadeScott Wade is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League during the early 1980s....
- 1985 – Scott WadeScott WadeScott Wade is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League during the early 1980s....
- 1986 – Craig Hoyer
- 1987 – Craig Hoyer
- 1988 – Mark BrowningMark BrowningMark Browning is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans from 1975 to 1987. He won the club's best and fairest award in 1983 and captained the Swans for the following two seasons....
- 1989 – Jamie ShanahanJamie ShanahanJames "Jamie" Shanahan is a former Australian rules footballer who played for St Kilda and Melbourne in the Australian Football League .-Early career:...
- 1990 – Geoff Keogh
- 1991 – Geoff Keogh
- 1992 – Peter Baldwin
- 1993 – Brenton Tapp
- 1994 – Rob Veale
- 1995 – Steven Gillbee
- 1996 – Steven Gillbee
- 1997 – Martin Free
- 1998 – Justin Harvey
- 1999 – Stephen Willis
- 2000 – Brent Quinn and Michael Graves
- 2001 – Mark Knott
- 2002 – Craig Haremza
- 2003 – Matthew Harvey
- 2004 – Shawn Sartori
- 2005 – Jamie DiIenno
- 2006 – Scott Dickson
- 2007 – Michael Cassidy
- 2008 – Trent Harvey
- 2009 – Blair Kean
- 2010 – Andrew Lemm
- 2011 – Todd Willing