Here is a list of players that came out of the three-area competition: Darrell Baldock (the most famous footballer in his era); Ian Stewart (the only player that has won Brownlow medals and premierships at two different clubs); Peter Hudson (greatest full forward of all time); Verdon Howell (Brownlow Medal 1959); Royce Hart; Nick Riewolt; Alastir Lynch; Matthew Richardson and many more.

Changing to statewide has failed in more ways than one, beginning with less quality players.

There were originally 10 sides, now there are seven.

The AFL draft system is all about controlling the lives of young immature men, who find themselves restricted to an unnatural behavior to please the strict rules the AFL demands.

To please everybody is not possible, so it will be interesting to see what decisions the AFL will make to repair the widening cracks in Tasmania's football structure.

Perhaps a Northern and Southern two-area competition might work.

Hugh Boyd, Prospect Vale.

I AM now in my 80th year, I am reliable, extremely fussy about keeping any appointments and in fact deplore those who don't as those who know me will attest.

I have used the very same medical group for 20 of those years and am always early for same, sometimes waiting up to an hour to be seen.

So upon trying to secure an appointment today, I was asked several questions after which I was informed that the computer stated that I had missed several appointments and that I would be charged if I missed this one.

In my living memory this is not true, which would be extremely out of my character, and I take extreme issue with this action towards myself which just once more shows across the entire professional and computerised sector, little or no respect whatsoever for we elders.

Don Davey, Launceston.

MY name is Thomas Riley and I am a Trawlwoolway Plangermaireener Boonwurrung man from Tasmania.

You know our community as pakana or palawa. 

I live in Hobart but my family are from Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island and the majority live in the Launceston area.  

In Hobart we currently have an Aboriginal men’s health group ran by the karadi aboriginal organisation.

The group has been great for those of us with health issues and social issues.

I consider myself one of those people.

The group has had a hand in helping me develop better interpersonal skills that I’ve been able to utilise in my professional life and also my personal life.

I am writing in regards to attempting to get an Aboriginal men’s health group running in Launceston. Karadi is a small organisation so having another group so far away is not an option.

I am asking if there are any organisations in Launceston that may be able to help facilitate a group that could be utilised by both elder and youth Aboriginal men.

There are a number of social issues in Launceston that I have seen affect my family and a number of other Aboriginal families in Launceston.

I think having a group that they can attend every week may be a way to help combat the issues they face and the circumstances they may be in.

nayri nina-tu

Thomas Riley, New Town.

ALL ANIMAL lovers must have enjoyed Minister David Littleproud's support of animal cruelty.

Did any minister of the Crown squirm more than he as he mangled his way through his carefully crafted statement on live export?

It was an example of ministerial fudge at its best. 

A mark time - wait until the public concern abates - and we really don't need to do anything about this.

Either the government is prepared to stop this cruelty to animals or it stands for cruelty to animals. Their line disgraces Australia and all Australians.

Len Langan, Longford.

THE recent statement by Lara Giddings, that the decision by Rebecca White and Cassy O’Connor to nominate Sue Hickey as Speaker was done “to make for a better Parliament” is a joke.

Upset by the poor election result for Labor and the pathetic result for the Greens, they conspired to nominate Sue Hickey as Speaker. 

The nomination was designed to de-stabilise the elected majority Liberal government and  “thumb their noses” at the over 50 per cent of Tasmanians who voted to elect it.

Labor and the Greens now have the potential for political power that they did not earn at the ballot box.

Perhaps after listening to their vitriolic and ungratious speeches on election night we should not be surprised.

Lindsay Millar, Hillwood.

I WAS horrified when I saw the Greens are seeking the support of Labor and the Speaker in an attempt to increase the number of members in the House of Assembly. 

If this was passed even in principle it would be the virtual end of Liberal majority government in this parliament. 

By not giving Sue Hickey a cabinet position they have brought it on themselves. 

It is so obvious that Tasmania is over governed as is. 

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.