Tasmanian Football League
Encyclopedia
Tasmanian State League (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian Australian National Football League (TANFL) and several other short-term names) is the highest ranked Australian rules football
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...

 league in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

, Australia.

The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 (giving it some claim to the title of the third oldest club football league in the world
Oldest football competitions
The world's oldest football competition is a title claimed by many.Many early football fixtures before the 1850s did not have set rules, clubs or trophies and are poorly documented.Some competitions were semi-organised fixtures, others offered trophies....

), but the name TFL (also the state's football governing body) was removed after it was liquidated with crushing debts in February 1999 and replaced by an independent commission (Football 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...

) and the competition was renamed the Tasmanian State Football League (1999) and the SWL (2000) until the number of clubs in financial difficulty made the league unsustainable and it collapsed in December 2000.

After long negotiations and discussions it was reinstated as a ten club competition in 2009.

The League is commercially known as the Wrest Point Tasmanian State League under a naming-rights sponsorship agreement with Wrest Point Casino 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...

.

League Presidents: 1879-1998

– Mr W.L Giblin (1879-1886) – Sir L.Dobson (1887-1893) – Sir E.Braddon (1894-1896) – Mr H.Dobson MHA (1897) – Mr A.J Clarke (1898-1899) – Mr C.J.Eady (1900-1908) – Mr A.Hearne (1909-1916) – Mr W.B Propsting (1917-1924) – Mr C.J Eady MLC (1925-1941) – Mr W.Arnold (1942-1949) – Mr M.A.S McNeair OBE (1950-1974) – Mr R.T Butler (1975-1977) – Mr D.A Burton (1977-1979) – Mr D.Fenton (1979-1980) – Mr J.Bennett (1981-1985) – Mr D.Smith (1986-1991) – Mr J.Wilkinson QC (1991) – Mr B.Breen (1992-1995) – Mr R.Hampson (1996-1998)

TANFL and District Football

In 1944 TANFL directors met to discuss restructuring of the league which was scheduled to return in 1945 after three seasons in recession due to World War Two.

The clubs would represent their various districts rather than being individual clubs.
Two new clubs (Hobart & Sandy Bay) would join North Hobart and New Town at the expense of Cananore and Lefroy who went out of existence during the World War Two cessation.

In 1947 the TANFL voted to include a further two clubs (Clarence – formed in 1903 & New Norfolk – formed in 1878) from the Southern District Football Association for a three year probationary period, on 7 August 1950, the clubs unanamously voted to retain the two clubs as permanent members of the competition.

At the end of the 1956 season, New Town Football Club relocated itself to the municipality of Glenorchy and absorbed the already existing local club Glenorchy Rovers, on 8 April 1957 the TANFL ratified the club's new name as Glenorchy District Football Club, its new home ground was the 1950-built KGV Park
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....



This era would be the strongest era for the league with a succession of star players in its ranks, record crowds and huge public support.

From 1979–1985 the TANFL would be known as the Winfield League under a naming-rights sponsorship arrangement with a tobacco company.

Disbandment

The league disbanded due to a dwindling of clubs able to financially cope and fell under the umbrella of Football Tasmania (which was soon renamed 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...

).

Three regional leagues absorbed the clubs from the Statewide League. This was represented by the 2 main North/South leagues and subsidiary regional leagues which underpinned the 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...

 VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...

 team, created in 2001 which was owned and funded by the 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...

 and administered by 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...

.
  • SFL Premier League and Regional 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...

  • NTFL
    Northern Tasmanian Football League
    The Northern Tasmanian Football League is an Australian rules football competition in northern Tasmania.-History:The Northern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1987 to replace the former Northern Tasmanian Football Association - no relation to the current NTFA - and the North Western...

  • NTFA

Tasmanian State League

After a hiatus of eight years, AFL Tasmania announced plans for a return of the statewide league in 2009.

The concept attracted widespread public and media debate on the return of a statewide competition, with many in the football world hesitant over such a move due to the perilous financial position most of the participating clubs were left in after the previous competition was disbanded in 2000.

Many believed the push for a return of the league was a direct result of the media and the Tasmanian State Government's strong campaign in getting a Tasmanian team admitted into the 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...

.

Under the AFL Tasmania plan, ten (10) clubs were invited to join the competition.

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....

, 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:...

, Hobart
Hobart Football Club
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.- Club history :...

 and 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...

 along with former Southern Amateur club 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,...

 in the South.
North Launceston
North Launceston Football Club
The 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:...

, 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...

 and Launceston
Launceston Football Club
The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...

 from the North and Devonport
Devonport Football Club
Devonport 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....

 and Burnie Dockers
Burnie Dockers Football Club
Burnie Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.-Club history:The Burnie Dockers were formed as a result of a merger between former TFL Statewide League club Burnie Hawks and NTFL club the Burnie Tigers...

 from the North-West Coast.

The response from many clubs was initially luke-warm at best with many concerned at the lack of detail in the 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...

 plan and the rushed decision-making process of the move.

Ulverstone Football Club
Ulverstone Robins Football Club
The Ulverstone Football Club, nicknamed the Robins, is an Australian rules football club based in Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia. The club fields three teams in the Northern Tasmanian Football League and also fields two junior teams in the AFL Tasmania North West Competition.-History:*Home ground...

 from the North West Coast bowed to pressure from its playing list and some factional groups within the club to put in a submission to join the competition in 2009.

Despite a membership vote narrowly ending in favour of joining, the Robins had missed the AFL Tasmania enforced deadline and were initially to be included in the 2010 Roster, however the remaining clubs (most notably its closest and most bitter rival Devonport) exerted considerable pressure upon the League not to alter the current makeup of teams for a period of ten years, therefore Ulverstone
Ulverstone Robins Football Club
The Ulverstone Football Club, nicknamed the Robins, is an Australian rules football club based in Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia. The club fields three teams in the Northern Tasmanian Football League and also fields two junior teams in the AFL Tasmania North West Competition.-History:*Home ground...

 were excluded from joining.

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...

 club Kingborough also lobbied AFL Tasmania to be included in the competition, but their case for inclusion was dismissed by the game's governing body due to their inadequate facilities and poor standard Kingston Beach Oval headquarters.

Former TFL club 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...

 (1947–1999) was not invited to join the league because of their poor financial position.

Also, as a result of the new competition getting off the ground, the Tasmanian Devils VFL team were disbanded.

On April 4, 2009, the opening match of the reformed competition took place at King George V Park
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....

 between the reigning premiers of 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...

, 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:...

 and reigning NTFL
Northern Tasmanian Football League
The Northern Tasmanian Football League is an Australian rules football competition in northern Tasmania.-History:The Northern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1987 to replace the former Northern Tasmanian Football Association - no relation to the current NTFA - and the North Western...

 premier Launceston
Launceston Football Club
The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...

 and resulted in a 21-point triumph to the Blues.

The inaugural Grand Final was held 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...

 on 19 September between old rivals 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:...

 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....

 resulting in a thrilling 6-point victory to the Roos in front of 7,534 fans.

The 2010 season started brightly with over 12,000 attending the first round of matches but soon after there was a great deal of off-field controversy with former Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon originally accepting an unpaid role acting as a mediator between the clubs and AFL Tasmania as the relationship between the clubs and the governing body had become further strained. However after only two weeks of the season, three clubs (Clarence, North Launceston and North Hobart) had decided to do their own bidding and Lennon walked away from the position.

There were further controversies, namely AFL Tasmania's decision to withdraw support for the Reserve grade competition after the Burnie Dockers announced only days before the start of the season that they would not be fielding a reserve grade side. Two other clubs (Hobart and Launceston) also struggled to field a reserves team throughout the season, and as a result the competition was run by the clubs themselves for the remainder of the season. It would be axed at season's end.

A finals set-up that included an extra week was roundly criticised by football pundits across the State and it failed to garner great enthusiasm amongst the footballing public as small crowds attended, with AFL Tasmania later admitting that they would be looking at returning to the more tradition Final Five set-up in 2011.

It made no difference as Clarence totally dominated the season, losing just one match during the roster rounds (away to Launceston with five top players out of the team) and after a totally dominant finals series in which they would thrash Launceston twice to head into a Grand Final, Devonport would cause a shock and sneak into the decider by virtue of running all over a disappointing Launceston at Aurora Stadium
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...

 in the Preliminary Final.
The Grand Final on 18 September pitted Clarence as raging favourites over Devonport, who had a dreadful record 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...

 (1-17-1) and last won there in 1988.

Devonport playing in its first Grand Final at State level since 1988 proved no match for a rampaging Roo outfit who eventually pulled away to a 57-point triumph and recorded its 25th consecutive win at the ground in the process.

2011 Tasmanian State League Ladder

Team Played Won Lost Draw For Against Percentage Points
Launceston
Launceston Football Club
The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...

18 18 0 0 2353 911 258.29% 72
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....

18 14 4 0 2090 1220 171.31% 56
Burnie 18 12 6 0 1851 1279 144.72% 48
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...

18 11 7 0 1782 1511 117.94% 44
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:...

18 10 8 0 1608 1450 110.90% 40
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,...

18 9 9 0 1468 1396 105.16% 36
North Launceston
North Launceston Football Club
The 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:...

18 9 9 0 1545 1628 94.90% 36
Hobart
Hobart Football Club
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.- Club history :...

18 3 15 0 1297 1921 67.52% 12
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...

18 3 15 0 1139 2265 50.29% 12
Devonport
Devonport Football Club
Devonport 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....

18 1 17 0 975 2527 38.58% 4


2011 TSL FINALS Series
Final Team G B Pts Team G B Pts
Elimination Final Glenorchy 16 17 113 North Hobart 9 15 69
Qualifying Final Burnie 20 15 135 Clarence 12 12 84
1st Semi Final Clarence 22 14 146 Glenorchy 12 15 87
2nd Semi Final Burnie 14 5 89 Launceston 9 12 66
Preliminary Final Launceston 13 15 93 Clarence 8 10 58
Grand Final Launceston 12 14 86 Burnie 6 6 42

Clubs

The Tasmanian Football League operates on a single table system, with no divisions, conferences nor promotion and relegation from other leagues.

Current Clubs

Jumper Club Nickname Location Training Ground Home Ground Debut Premiership Years
Burnie Dockers Football Club
Burnie Dockers Football Club
Burnie Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.-Club history:The Burnie Dockers were formed as a result of a merger between former TFL Statewide League club Burnie Hawks and NTFL club the Burnie Tigers...

"Dockers" Burnie, Tasmania
Burnie, Tasmania
- Sport :Australian rules football is popular in Burnie. The city's team is the Burnie Dockers Football Club in the Tasmanian State League.Rugby union is also played in Burnie. The local club is the Burnie Rugby Union Club. They are the current Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide Division Two Premiers...

West Park Oval
West Park (Burnie)
West Park Oval is an Australian Rules football, cycling and athletics venue located on the shores of Bass Strait in Burnie, Tasmania.It is the current home of the Burnie Dockers in the Tasmanian State League and previously in the NTFL and in the original TFL Statewide League.-History:West Park...

West Park Oval
West Park (Burnie)
West Park Oval is an Australian Rules football, cycling and athletics venue located on the shores of Bass Strait in Burnie, Tasmania.It is the current home of the Burnie Dockers in the Tasmanian State League and previously in the NTFL and in the original TFL Statewide League.-History:West Park...

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1987 – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: None – TFL: None
Clarence Football Club
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....

"Kangaroos" Bellerive, Tasmania
Bellerive, Tasmania
Bellerive is a suburb of the City of Clarence, part of the greater Hobart area, Tasmania, Australia. It stretches from Kangaroo Bay where it borders Rosny Park, around the curved shoreline of Bellerive Esplanade to Kangaroo Bluff, then down to Bellerive Beach and east to Second Bluff, where...

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...

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...

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1947 – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1970, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000 – TFL: 2009, 2010
Devonport Football Club
Devonport Football Club
Devonport 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....

"Magpies" Devonport
Devonport, Tasmania
-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...

 Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval is an Australian rules football, cricket and athletics stadium in Devonport, Tasmania.It is the home stadium for the Devonport Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and for the Devonport Cricket Club in the NWTCA competition....

Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval is an Australian rules football, cricket and athletics stadium in Devonport, Tasmania.It is the home stadium for the Devonport Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and for the Devonport Cricket Club in the NWTCA competition....

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1987 – TFL: 2009 TFL/SWL: 1988 – TFL: None
Glenorchy Football Club
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:...

"Magpies" Glenorchy, Tasmania
Glenorchy, Tasmania
Glenorchy is a business district and suburb in the northern part of greater Hobart, capital of the state of Tasmania, Australia. The land was originally used for agriculture but is now a largely suburban, working-class area...

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....

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....

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1921 (As New Town Football Club) – 1957 (As Glenorchy District Football Club) – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1935, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965, 1975, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1999 – TFL: None
Hobart Football Club
Hobart Football Club
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.- Club history :...

"Tigers" Glebe, Tasmania
Glebe, Tasmania
Glebe is a suburb of Hobart, capital city of Tasmania, Australia. The suburb is a very small area adjacent to the city on the same part of land as the Queens Domain, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and the Hobart Aquatic Center....

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...

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...

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1945 – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1950, 1954, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1973, 1980, 1990 – TFL: None
Lauderdale Football Club
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,...

"Bombers" Lauderdale, Tasmania
Lauderdale, Tasmania
Lauderdale is a town on the outskirts of Hobart, capital of Tasmania, Australia. The population of Lauderdale is approximately 2,388 . It is in the local government area of City of Clarence. The town is situated on the eastern side of a thin Isthmus that connects the South Arm peninsula to the...

Lauderdale Oval
Lauderdale Oval
Lauderdale Oval or Lauderdale Sports Ground is a suburban Australian rules football and cricket ground situated in the beach-side Hobart suburb of Lauderdale, Tasmania. It is home of the Lauderdale Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and has been used by the Lauderdale Football Club since...

Lauderdale Oval
Lauderdale Oval
Lauderdale Oval or Lauderdale Sports Ground is a suburban Australian rules football and cricket ground situated in the beach-side Hobart suburb of Lauderdale, Tasmania. It is home of the Lauderdale Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and has been used by the Lauderdale Football Club since...

 & 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...

TFL: 2009 TFL: None
Launceston Football Club
Launceston Football Club
The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...

"Blues" Riverside, Tasmania
Riverside, Tasmania
Riverside is a residential suburb 4 kilometres north-west of the central business district of Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city. The West Tamar Highway runs through the suburb, adjoining Riverside to the West Tamar, which includes small towns: Beaconsfield, George Town and Beauty Point...

Windsor Park
Windsor Park, Tasmania
Windsor Park is an Australian Rules football ground that is home to the Launceston Football Club and has been since 1968 when the club was a member of the former NTFA competition.It is currently a venue in the Tasmanian State League....

Windsor Park
Windsor Park, Tasmania
Windsor Park is an Australian Rules football ground that is home to the Launceston Football Club and has been since 1968 when the club was a member of the former NTFA competition.It is currently a venue in the Tasmanian State League....

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1994 – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: None – TFL: None
North Hobart Football Club "Demons" North Hobart, Tasmania
North Hobart, Tasmania
North Hobart is a suburb of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. As its name suggests, it lies directly north of the CBD.The main street of North Hobart is Elizabeth Street, which extends northward from the Elizabeth Street Mall in the city, through North Hobart, and then becomes the Main Road...

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...

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...

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1881 – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1902, 1905, 1908, 1914, 1920, 1923, 1928, 1929, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1947, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1969, 1974, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 – TFL: None
North Launceston Football Club
North Launceston Football Club
The 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:...

"Bombers" Invermay, Tasmania
Invermay, Tasmania
Invermay is a suburb of Launceston, which contains the minor suburb of Inveresk, it is located on the eastern side of the Tamar River and the northern side of the North Esk River, the suburb is most notable as being home to York Park ....

Aurora Stadium
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...

 & Invermay Park
Aurora Stadium
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...

 & Invermay Park (Some Reserve & Under-19's fixtures are played at Invermay Park on Gala Days.
TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1986 – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1995, 1998 – TFL: None
South Launceston Football Club
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...

"Bulldogs" Youngtown, Tasmania
Youngtown, Tasmania
Youngtown is a southern suburb of Launceston, Tasmania and had a population of 3,684 at the time of the 2006 census. There is a football ground at Youngtown the Youngtown Oval which is where South Launceston Football club play their home games in the Tasmania State League...

Youngtown Oval
Youngtown Oval
Youngtown Memorial Ground is a football ground at Youngtown in the southern suburbs of Launceston, Australia and is home of the South Launceston Football Club in the Tasmania State League.-History:...

Youngtown Oval
Youngtown Oval
Youngtown Memorial Ground is a football ground at Youngtown in the southern suburbs of Launceston, Australia and is home of the South Launceston Football Club in the Tasmania State League.-History:...

TANFL/TFL/SWL: 1986 – TFL: 2009 TANFL/TFL/SWL: None – TFL: None

TANFL/TFL Statewide League Clubs: 1945–2000

  • 1945–1997 Hobart Football Club
    Hobart Football Club
    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.- Club history :...

  • 1881–1998 North Hobart Football Club
    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...

  • 1999–2000 Hobart Demons Football Club
    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...

  • 1945–1956 – New Town District Football Club
    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:...

  • 1957–2000 Glenorchy District Football Club
    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:...

  • 1947–2000 Clarence District Football Club
    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....

  • 1947–1998 New Norfolk District Football Club
    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...

  • 1999–1999 – Derwent Eagles Football Club
    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...

  • 1945–1997 – Sandy Bay Football Club
    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:...

  • 1998–1999 – Southern Districts Football Club
    Southern Cats
    The Southern Districts Football Club was an Australian rules football club based in North Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.-Club History:...

  • 1986–1986 East Launceston Football Club
    East Launceston Football Club
    The East Launceston Football Club was an Australian rules football club based in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.The club was founded in 1948 as Cornwall Football Club and participated with limited success during its 38-year tenure in the Northern Tasman Football Association competition...

  • 1986–1997 – South Launceston Football Club
    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...

  • 1986–1997 North Launceston Football Club
    North Launceston Football Club
    The 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:...

  • 1998–2000 Northern Bombers Football Club
    North Launceston Football Club
    The 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:...

  • 1994–1997 – Launceston Football Club
    Launceston Football Club
    The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...

  • 1987–1994 Burnie Hawks Football Club
    Burnie Hawks Football Club
    The Burnie Hawks Football Club was an Australian rules football club based in Burnie, Tasmania, Australia from 1987 to 1994.The club was founded in 1987 after former NWFU club Cooee Bulldogs closed down its operation in order to wipe out its large debts and rebrand itself with a more...

  • 1995–2000 – Burnie Dockers Football Club
    Burnie Dockers Football Club
    Burnie Football Club is an Australian rules football club located in Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.-Club history:The Burnie Dockers were formed as a result of a merger between former TFL Statewide League club Burnie Hawks and NTFL club the Burnie Tigers...

  • 1987–1996 – Devonport Blues Football Club
    Devonport Football Club
    Devonport 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....

  • 1997–2000 Devonport Power Football Club
    Devonport Football Club
    Devonport 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....


TFA/STFA/TANFL Clubs: 1879–1941

  • 1908–1941 – Cananore Football Club
    Cananore Football Club
    Cananore Football Club was an Australian rules football club, founded in 1901.It competed in the Tasmanian Football League as a junior club from 1901 to 1907, and as a senior club between 1908 and 1941....

    .
  • 1898–1941 Lefroy Football Club
    Lefroy Football Club
    Lefroy Football Club were an Australian rules football club which competed in the Tasmanian Football League . They were known as the Blues and played their home games at North Hobart Oval as well as the Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground. Lefroy players wore dark and light blue as their club...

    .
  • 1879–1885 – Cricketers Football Club.
  • 1906–1907 – Derwent Football Club.
  • 1921–1941 New Town District Football Club
    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:...

    .
  • 1876–1896 – Railway Football Club.
  • 1897–1897 – South Hobart Football Club.
  • 1898–1905 – Wellington Football Club.
  • 1880–1894 – Holebrook Football Club.
  • 1887–1887 – Union Football Club.
  • 1898–1898 – Summerton Football Club.
  • 1879–1896 – City Football Club.
  • 1893–1907 – Kingston Football Club
    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:...

    .

Official Magazine

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...

 in association with Smedley Sports Management publish the Wrest Point State League Record. which is sold at all TFL matches. A special edition is produced for the grand final.

Television

ABC1
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...

 in Tasmania shows one live Saturday afternoon game each week of the season. Along with the ABC, TVT6 (Now WIN Tasmania) have broadcasted the league previously.

All Tasmanian based stations have news and results shown regularly in their news broadcasts. Southern Cross report full time scores from the TFL as well as other leagues around the state during the half time break of their Saturday night 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...

 broadcast.

Radio

League matches were formerly broadcast on radio from 1931 to 2000, however there are currently no radio broadcasts of TFL football with the exception of the Grand Final and the occasional roster game on ABC Local Radio
ABC Local Radio
ABC Local Radio is a network of publicly owned radio stations in Australia, operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.ABC Local Radio stations broadcast across the continent using terrestrial transmitters and satellites...

 which is also streamed online.

Newspapers

The Hobart Mercury in the South, The Examiner
The Examiner (Tasmania)
The Examiner is the daily newspaper of the city of Launceston and north-eastern Tasmania, Australia.- Overview :The Examiner was first published on 12 March 1842, founded by James Aikenhead. Its first editor was the Reverend John West. At first it was a weekly publication . The Examiner expanded to...

in Launceston and the North as well as The Advocate
The Advocate (Australia)
The Advocate is a local newspaper of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia. Its readership covers the North West Coast and West Coast of Tasmania, including towns such as Ulverstone, Devonport, Penguin, Wynyard, Latrobe and Smithton...

on the North West Coast all provide extensive coverage of TSL football in their publications.

Attendance

The Tasmanian Football league crowds compete heavily with 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...

 matches on television. Crowds at the beginning of the season are usually quite high and are up with the mainland state football competitions. Attendances usually slide considerably until it will increase during the finals. Night games, especially ones that do not clash with 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...

 matches are well attended.

Patrons at TFL games pay at the gates or hold club season passes.

Tassie Medal Winners

Presented to the best and fairest player in the Tasmanian State League from 2009.
  • 2009 – K.Heazlewood (Devonport)
    Devonport Football Club
    Devonport 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....

  • 2010 – B.Geappen (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....

  • 2011 – T.Bristow (Launceston)
    Launceston Football Club
    The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...


Peter Hudson Medal Winners

Presented to the leading goalkicker in the Tasmanian State League from 2009.
  • 2009 – B.Dutton (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....

  • 2010 – B.Finch (Launceston)
    Launceston Football Club
    The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...

  • 2011 – B.Finch (Launceston)
    Launceston Football Club
    The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...


Wilson Bailey Trophy Winners

Was presented to the best and fairest player in the TFL/TANFL from 1927 until 1929. It was replaced by the William Leitch Medal
William Leitch Medal
The William Leitch Medal was an annual award which was presented to the Best and Fairest player in the TANFL/TFL Statewide League.At various times prior to 1930 and between 1935 and 1939 the TFL award was known by other names....

 in 1930.
  • 1927 – K.Roberts (New Town)
    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:...

  • 1928 G.Cole
    George Cole (Australian politician)
    George Ronald Cole was an Australian politician. Born in Don, Tasmania, he was raised in the Methodist faith of his mother, educated at state schools and then the University of Tasmania, before becoming a teacher and headmaster in state schools.As an Australian rules footballer with New Town, Cole...

     (New Town)
    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:...

  • 1929 A.Leitch
    Allan Leitch
    Allan Leitch was an Australian rules footballer who played for New Town in the Tasmanian Football League and Carlton in the Victorian Football League ....

     (New Town)
    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:...


George Watt Medallists

Was Presented to the best and fairest player in the TANFL from 1935 until 1939. It replaced the William Leitch Medal
William Leitch Medal
The William Leitch Medal was an annual award which was presented to the Best and Fairest player in the TANFL/TFL Statewide League.At various times prior to 1930 and between 1935 and 1939 the TFL award was known by other names....

 although it ended up being replaced by it in 1940
  • 1935 – L.Powell (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...

  • 1936 E.Zschech
    Eric Zschech
    Eric Leslie Zschech was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League between 1930 and 1935 for the Richmond Football Club...

     (Lefroy)
    Lefroy Football Club
    Lefroy Football Club were an Australian rules football club which competed in the Tasmanian Football League . They were known as the Blues and played their home games at North Hobart Oval as well as the Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground. Lefroy players wore dark and light blue as their club...

  • 1937 L.Pye
    Len Pye
    Len 'Apples' Pye was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the VFL during the 1930s...

     (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...

     & E.Zschech
    Eric Zschech
    Eric Leslie Zschech was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League between 1930 and 1935 for the Richmond Football Club...

     (Lefroy)
    Lefroy Football Club
    Lefroy Football Club were an Australian rules football club which competed in the Tasmanian Football League . They were known as the Blues and played their home games at North Hobart Oval as well as the Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground. Lefroy players wore dark and light blue as their club...

  • 1938 L.Pye
    Len Pye
    Len 'Apples' Pye was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the VFL during the 1930s...

     (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...

  • 1939 E.Zschech
    Eric Zschech
    Eric Leslie Zschech was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League between 1930 and 1935 for the Richmond Football Club...

     (Lefroy)
    Lefroy Football Club
    Lefroy Football Club were an Australian rules football club which competed in the Tasmanian Football League . They were known as the Blues and played their home games at North Hobart Oval as well as the Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground. Lefroy players wore dark and light blue as their club...


William Leitch Medal

The William Leitch medal was presented to the best & fairest player in the TANFL/TFL Statewide League from 1930–1934 and 1940–2000.

As of 2009 when the Tasmanian State League was revived, 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...

 decided to award the Tassie Medal to the best and fairest player in the revamped competition as it was seen (particularly in the North) that the William Leitch medal was too Hobart-centric.
The medal continues to be presented to the best and fairest player in the Southern Football 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...

 since 2004.

Premierships, Leading Goalkickers and Records


External links

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