TASMANIA hosted the first JLT Community Series game and a number of Tasmanian State League (TSL) clubs announced key recruits for season 2018 in what was a big week of football in the state.

Demons kick off JLT Series in Hobart with victory over Roos:

Hobart played host to the first JLT Community Series game of 2018 last Saturday as a strong Melbourne outfit defeated North Melbourne were at Kingston’s Twin Ovals. The 53-point victory was highlighted by an impressive performance from Demons youngster Bayley Fritsch, who staked his claims for a round one debut, kicking three goals in the 19.10 (124) to 11.5 (71) victory.

After a tight first half, Melbourne burst away from a young North Melbourne team, using a strong breeze to open up a seven goals to one third quarter advantage going into the last before running away with the game. North’s Tasmanian products Ben Brown (two goals, nine disposals) and Mitch Hibberd (six disposals at 83 per cent efficiency) performed strongly in front of a rather disappointing crowd of 1957. The state is hosting another JLT game when Hawthorn take on Carlton on March 10 at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.

Brownlow Medalist slams Tassie fans:

In the wake of the disappointing crowd at Saturday’s game, former Western Bulldogs and Essendon player Adam Cooney slammed Tasmanian football fans for failing to show up to the game.

“There has been a huge uproar recently, calls for the AFL to step in and pour funding into Tasmanian football to help it survive, people saying there should be a team in Tasmania,” Cooney told SEN’s Sunday Brunch. “Given everything that is going on at the moment with Tasmanian football, people vote with their feet. “To get 1957 people to a JLT game, at any stage of the year, says to me people in Tasmania aren’t committed to the AFL.”

The 2008 Brownlow Medalist, who now performs a number of roles within the football media, believes the best way to show the AFL they want their own team is to show up when the AFL comes to town.

“If they want a team in Tasmania, and Tasmanian football is obviously struggling, why wouldn’t people vote with their feet, get 7,000 to the game, and show support for football in Tasmania?” Cooney said. “For people there to say, we want a team, we love watching AFL footy and we deserve a team. Then to have no one roll in, what does that say to the AFL?” “The AFL says, why waste our time, because they aren’t passionate about AFL football.”

Clubs announce new recruits ahead of TSL season:

A number of TSL clubs have taken to social media in the New Year to announce a number of key signings for the 2018 season.

Tigers FC have announced that former players Edward Burrows-Cheng and Luke Graham have returned to the club after stints in Queensland and Huonville respectively, while Hugh Johnson joins the club for the first time.

Clarence took to Instagram to announce the signings’ of Ryan Edmondson, Troy Cunliffe, Ryan Cowie and Fletcher Seymour. All four come after stints in local leagues, with Cunliffe the biggest signing of them all as the reigning William Leitch Medalist (league best and fairest) in the Southern Football League (SFL).

Revised TSL roster released along with launch of new app:

After the departures of Burnie and Devonport from the state’s premier competition, AFL Tasmania have released the revised TSL roster on the new competition app. North Hobart will host the season opener on Good Friday against the Tigers with the clash expected to draw a big crowd following a number of key Demons players crossing to the Tigers in the off-season.

The competition’s two northern-based sides will then do battle later that night when 2017 premiers North Launceston host Launceston at UTAS Stadium from 6:30pm. Cross-town rivals Lauderdale and Clarence will then close out Round 1 on Saturday March 31 at Lauderdale Oval with that clash kicking off at 2:00pm. Glenorchy have the bye.