On the day that Tasmanian cycling was being showcased to the world courtesy of Tour de France winner Chris Froome joining World Tour comrades Richie Porte, Matt Goss, Nathan Earle and Campbell Flakemore in their home state, Amy Cure was landing another global gold on the opposite side of the planet.

As Amelia Spence scored the goal which helped the Hockeyroos win a Champions Trophy semi-final, her boyfriend Nick Budgeon scored the goal which almost helped the Kookaburras do likewise before Eddie Ockenden scored to secure the team's fourth major podium finish of the year in a match which saw Tim Deavin make his 100th international appearance.

The chances of George Bailey leading Australia into a World Cup on home soil increase with every passing day and every pessimistic diagnosis for regular captain Michael Clarke.

As if to warm up for the occasion, Bailey leads Tasmania to a Sheffield Shield win in which only one South Australian could muster second-innings double figures (11) and the scorecard featured so many ducks it looked more like a pond.

Ben Hilfenhaus bowls 14 overs for five wickets and just 11 runs to position himself tidily ahead of the next injury to an Australian Test paceman.

Fellow Tigers James Faulkner, Xavier Doherty, Ed Cowan, Alex Doolan and Jackson Bird remain at various levels of national selection.

No fewer than 33 Tasmanians are on AFL team lists preparing for next season, enough to field their own team — now there's a thought.

Sixteen-year-old Jack Hale runs a 100-metre time that would have placed him second to Carl Lewis at the 1984 Olympics.

I know what you're thinking … Carl who?

The equally likeable (as Hale, not Lewis) Deon Kenzie records a T38 1500m world record to remain on course for the Paralympic Games.

Former Commonwealth Games boxing medallists Daniel Geale and Luke Jackson extend their records to 31-3 and 7-0 respectively to continue their progress through the pro ranks.

Marcos Ambrose returns to the V8 Supercar series from his NASCAR adventure seeking to add to his two championship wins.

As Porte and Earle prepare for another season with the world's top cycling team, Goss continues to target classics and Grand Tours, Flakemore prepares to begin his elite career alongside his nation's only Tour de France winner and yesterday's edition of Ride magazine hits the shelves with Porte, Flakemore and Macey Stewart on the cover behind the headline "The future", it is an apt time to take stock of the state of the state's sport.

Tasmanian Institute of Sport director Paul Austen described this year's athlete of the year award as the highest quality ever, featuring three world champions, an Ashes winner, triple AFL premiership champion and Commonwealth Games medallist.

It's a headache Austen and his fellow judges were delighted to have.

From the Alpine passes of the Tour de France, to the hockey fields of India and the MCG on the last Saturday in September, Tasmanian athletes continue to shine every bit as brightly as Porte's famous pendant of the state's outline.