We are throwing money at Hawthorn, North Melbourne and in the early years St Kilda just to play in the state with all the benefits that bring both cities, then they fly out until the next game.

If all it takes is sponsors (we have the grounds and spectators) surely a combined effort can take a business plan to the AFL who seems to be the big stumbling block but with pressure of media, state government and local football associations, it could be like the cricket when they said we were too small to be included in the Sheffield Shield and how long did it take for us to win our first trophy?

We have cleared the decks regarding the state AFL with a new CEO, I wonder if this state team is on the agenda or again put in the too-hard basket when most Tasmanians would like to see them just run out on the ground and play.

I’M SURE it must feel really good,

To be the king of Collingwood.

And also the great compere,

Of Hot Seat Millionaire.

With all these people in your corner,

Must surely make your heart feel warmer.

But really Ed it must be said,

You must stop leading with your head.

SPECTATORS (including myself) at the reserves and senior football matches between St Pats and Perth at St Pats, witnessed the most amazing act of determination and courage one would ever see on a football field anywhere, and it wasn't the footballers themselves.

A pair of plovers would not leave a particular flank of the ground  for the entire both games even with hard-fought contests all around them. They showed fight beyond their size and skill in avoiding contact that left us in awe.

These ground nesting birds deserve the " best-on-ground" votes, a real "feather in their cap" may I say. Footnote: at the final siren they went about  their business as if nothing had happened - how good is that?         

JUST when we thought we had got rid of that damaging fishing trawler the Geelong Star, a talkback radio show recently revealed a huge amount of gummy shark was netted near Flinders Island.

What is frustrating, after thousands of Tasmanian weekend fisherman who spend millions of dollars on fishing equipment, boats, vehicles, accommodation and so on, are ignored by our own politicians.

Their feeble response without asking about what other types of fish is caught and discarded in the netting, that trawling is scientifically viable.

I just want our politicians to ask the thousands of weekend fisherman, is it viable for them to keep spending millions on catching a fish?

WITH regards to the state government's stance on the ambulance EBA.

I can't think of one politician who would accept no pay rise for three years but work on the "goodwill principle" as Tasmanian ambulance paramedics have been expected to do so by the government.

I'd love to see a politician do a rotation of two days and two nights and see how they fare.

Perhaps they would show their appreciation with just more than the lip service they have been.

But I doubt it.