David Harding
Cain LynchEye on State League players
May 31st 2010 06:58
Sourced: The Mercury - The voice of Tasmania
AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade has defended the movement of interstate league coaches scouting and poaching TSL players.
He claimed it was simply an indication of the standing the new competition already had.
A scout from Werribee, which is coached by Simon Atkins - twin brother of North Launceston coach Paul, was an interested on-looker during the match between Clarence and Burnie at Bellerive on Saturday.
It is believed the scout was sizing up some of the Roos for a potential move to the VFL next season but Wade is not fazed by VFL and SANFL club representatives keeping a close eye on the progression of the State League.
While former Glenorchy captain and 2009 state co-skipper Shane Piuselli left the Magpies for Coburg this year, Wade said in time the strength of the TSL would not only see players remain in Tasmania, but eventually provide a lure for interstate players to cross Bass Strait.
"I was sitting with the guy. It's interesting isn't it? Our spin on it would be it shows that our competition already has national credibility, but we will fight really hard to retain our talent in the state from opposition from South Australia and Victoria and probably Queensland as well," Wade said.
"As time goes on we would like to think we can attract players to come to the state.
"We know talent scouts from all over the country are particularly interested in our State League and that is the benefit of having our own state league.
"You become part of a national state league system rather than have three regional competitions. We are under the microscope of talent scouts across the nation."
Wade also denied a less attractive salary cap in the TSL compared to other second-tier competitions could affect the retention of local talent.
"I don't think it is about money, there is not enough money in state league football for anyone to earn a living, it's about whether the players want to play at the highest level [possible].
"I know some players I've played with, Daniel Hulme is one who springs to mind, he was very, very close to an AFL player but achieved what he needed to achieve in Tasmania and wanted to challenge himself at the highest level.
"Perhaps that is Shane Piuselli's argument and Ian Callinan's [a former Devil who has played in the SANFL since 2007] as well.
"But our challenge is to get these guys back to the state to finish their careers."
AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade has defended the movement of interstate league coaches scouting and poaching TSL players.
He claimed it was simply an indication of the standing the new competition already had.
A scout from Werribee, which is coached by Simon Atkins - twin brother of North Launceston coach Paul, was an interested on-looker during the match between Clarence and Burnie at Bellerive on Saturday.
While former Glenorchy captain and 2009 state co-skipper Shane Piuselli left the Magpies for Coburg this year, Wade said in time the strength of the TSL would not only see players remain in Tasmania, but eventually provide a lure for interstate players to cross Bass Strait.
"I was sitting with the guy. It's interesting isn't it? Our spin on it would be it shows that our competition already has national credibility, but we will fight really hard to retain our talent in the state from opposition from South Australia and Victoria and probably Queensland as well," Wade said.
"As time goes on we would like to think we can attract players to come to the state.
"We know talent scouts from all over the country are particularly interested in our State League and that is the benefit of having our own state league.
"You become part of a national state league system rather than have three regional competitions. We are under the microscope of talent scouts across the nation."
Wade also denied a less attractive salary cap in the TSL compared to other second-tier competitions could affect the retention of local talent.
"I don't think it is about money, there is not enough money in state league football for anyone to earn a living, it's about whether the players want to play at the highest level [possible].
"I know some players I've played with, Daniel Hulme is one who springs to mind, he was very, very close to an AFL player but achieved what he needed to achieve in Tasmania and wanted to challenge himself at the highest level.
"Perhaps that is Shane Piuselli's argument and Ian Callinan's [a former Devil who has played in the SANFL since 2007] as well.
"But our challenge is to get these guys back to the state to finish their careers."
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