Resignation news a surprise

As revealed exclusively in The Examiner yesterday, the board is expected to resign at the upcoming general meeting leaving chief executive officer Scott Wade reporting directly to the AFL.

North Launceston president Thane Brady and Launceston counterpart Malcolm Atkins both said they were surprised to read about the development and unaware of the reasons behind it.

AFL Tasmania will meet with club representatives in Campbell Town today where the changes are expected to be discussed.

"It was a bit of shock for me," Brady said.

"I really know nothing so I can't really comment because I don't even know if it is true.

"We have had no information that this was on the radar of the AFL and there was certainly no discussion of this change during the 18 months of discussion about the new licence."

Brady said if the plan was true, AFL Tasmania would need to explain how it would benefit Tasmanian football.

"If we start the process at the meeting well and good," he said.

"But it will take more than a half-hour side presentation."

The agenda for today's meeting has been pre- planned. Topics for discussion are expected to include community engagement, a 20-year plan for the TSL, club finances and fly- in players.

Atkins said he knew nothing about the board resigning, apart from what he read in the paper.

"I had no idea and will wait until the presidents' meeting to be told more," he said.

Western Storm president Michelle Strickland declined to comment and AFL Tasmania chairman Dominic Baker did not return The Examiner's call.

However, yesterday afternoon a release was issued "in response to today's article in The Examiner newspaper".

It said: "AFL Tasmania continues to work closely with the AFL to ensure the game is best placed to enjoy ongoing development throughout Tasmania. We look forward to further involvement with the AFL with the game's best interests at heart."