round 11

VIEW FROM HERE | Tasmania’s fortnight of football highs and lows
There has certainly been plenty of drama and
big news stories involving Tasmanian football
over the past few weeks:
· The unacceptable on and off field behaviour at an
NEFU game between Lilydale and Ringarooma.
· Our state under 18 team being belted by Victoria
Metro.
· The debate and uncertainty surrounding the future
of the state wise reserves competition.
· Matthew Richardson and Darrin Pritchard being
upgraded from inductee to legend status in the
Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.
· 200 game AFL players Brady Rawlings, Russell
Robertson and Brad Green being announced
as our first three new inductees into the 2010
Tasmania Football Hall of Fame.
· Andrew Demetriou and Gillon McLachlan visiting
Hobart to have strategic discussions with the
Premier and AFL Tasmania about the short and
long term future of the AFL product and broader
football growth and investment opportunities in
Tasmania.
· Our state senior team being belted by Queensland
on the Gold Coast last weekend.
· Former Tassie Mariner and Clarence youngster Jack
Riewoldt kicking 10 goals for Richmond and as a
result being the leading goal kicker in the AFL.
The above is certainly evidence that life in
Tasmanian football is far from dull and that our
sport on and off the field continues to be a game
of high and lows.
Mixed into all of this was the most unfortunate
neck injury to Clarence coach, champion player
and current TSL leading goal kicker Brett
Geappen. An injury that has unfortunately cut
short Brett’s wonderful playing career!
Brett (or Budgie as he is known) began his playing
career at a high level with the Tassie Mariners in
the TAC Cup competition, including playing games
at Clarence whenever the Mariners had a week
off. He also performed exceptionally well as a
state underage player at AFL national underage
championship level.
Brett just missed out on the opportunity to play
AFL football. However, he became a very, very
good VFL player with Tasmanian Devils where
he played over 100 VFL games, captained the
Devils and won a club best and fairest award (the
Alastair Lynch medal).
Last year Brett was the playing coach of the first
senior team to win the Wrest Point State League
premiership and this season he had kicked 62
goals at the half way mark of the TSL season and
he was certainly on track to be the competitions
first player to kick 100 goals.
Sincere congratulations to Brett Geappen for a
sensational playing career.
Brett might well yet become one of our State’s
most successful coaches. Good luck Budgie!
Scott Wade
General Manager
2