The Tasmanian U16 team is currently participating in the AFL U16 National Championships in Brisbane. The current crop of young talent is battling for honours in Division 2 of the Championships against Queensland, New South Wales and Northern Territory.
The State has a history of participation in carnivals for high school aged talented players dating back over 100 years. When the program became an official `schoolboys' carnival in 1923 Tasmania was at the forefront of organization and participation. In more recent times Tasmania has fully supported the AFL's decision to manage and fund the program and has competed in Division 2 of the AFL National Carnival since 1996.
While many famous football names have first represented Tasmania at this level, including Peter Hudson, Royce Hart, Ian Stewart and Darrel Baldock, the state has also many other football achievers at this level.
The highest individual achievement for Tasmanians has been the Carnival Best and Fairest Award (namely the Williams and McLean Medals) and the highest team honour is the annexing of the Championship trophy.
Tasmania has been successful in winning the open Championship against all comers (including the might of Victoria) in 1954, 1955, 1956 (jointly) and 1977. In 2003 the state was successful for the only time under the AFL's new divisional format.
Tasmanian players have regularly won the Best and Fairest Medal with the highest profile winners being Scottsdale's, Athol Webb, Glenorchy's, Gary Linton, and Clarence's, Steve McPherson, who are all members of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.
As well, Derek Peardon (Richmond), Paul Morrison (Richmond), Colin Morse (Collingwood) and Brady Rawlings (Kangaroos) have also played in the VFL / AFL.
Finally, some of the lesser known players have interesting stories to tell, including:
- East Launceston's Craig Webb who shared the medal with Carlton champion Wayne Harmes.
- Swansea's Patrick Cusick who played all his football at Swansea in a dominant career in country football that is still being played out 25 years later.
The team lists highlight some famous names of Tasmanian sport including:
- 1954 - Denis Rogers who made his name as a cricket administrator
- 1954,55,56 - Neville Johnson played in 3 consecutive carnivals and went on to play senior football for Glenorchy and won the TFL's William Leitch Medal for Best and Fairest in 1967.
- 1955 - North Hobart champion and Team of the Century member Des Graham.
- 1977 - Famous fathers - Chris Reiwoldt (son -Jack) and David Cornelius (son - Aaron).
- 2003 - Young stars Mathew Wade in cricket and Adam Gibson in basketball as well as a number of draftees who have debuted in the AFL - Sam Lonergan, Grant Birchall, Sam Isles and Justin Sherman.
The team captains and 1977 coach Rod Radford have fond memories of their achievements. David Riekie from the 1977 team moved to Adelaide to University and has forged a strong career in business in West Australia. David Sealy and Michael Chick still reside in Hobart and young Sam Lonergan is with Essendon in the AFL.
A list of all medal winners and championship teams is provided with details of individuals that media outlets may wish to contact for photo stories / interviews in respect of their memories of Tasmania's participation in National Underage Championships.
A picture of Tasmania's first Championship team from 1954 is also provided.
For more information please contact:
Daniel Smedley Assistant General Manager 0418 114414
Last Modified on 02/08/2007 17:05