Launceston to celebrate 2008, 1998 and 1938 premierships

A 10-year reunion at Windsor Park for its 2008 three-peat premiership will coincide with celebrations for two 1998 NTFL flags and the Blues’ 1938 senior NTFA crown.

Organiser Darrin Geard said the stories of yesteryear would take place as the modern day troops take on Lauderdale.

“The 2008 team, again coached by Adam Sanders, was backing up after winning the 2006 (defeated Devonport) and 2007 (defeated Ulverstone) premierships,” he said.

“The 2008 team was captained by Scott Stephens and Beau Green, and finished the roster season with a 17-1 win-loss record, the only defeat coming at the hands of Burnie. 

“The grand final was a high-scoring game, with Launceston withstanding a late charge from Burnie to win 17.18 (120) to 14.23 (107), with full-forward Adam Derbyshire kicking 10 goals (to finish with 140 goals for the season) and awarded the Wilfred Barker Medal for the best on ground.”

It was the Blues’ final match in the NTFL before joining the revamped Tasmanian State League.

Launceston took out both the reserves and under-18 titles in 1998 with Simon Foot-Hill and Wayne Kirby in charge, respectively.

“The (under-18) grand final proved to be a one-sided game with Launceston 10.12 (72) defeating Ulverstone 4.3 (27), providing us with its first under-18 premiership since 1986,” Geard said.

“The team's vice captain, Gordon Smith, capped of the premiership year in winning the NTFL under-18 best and fairest, and featured future long-term senior players Beau Green, Gene Savage and Brad Dutton, as well as Danny Roach who was drafted by Collingwood in the 1999 AFL draft.

“Simon Foot-Hill, who not only led the reserves side from fourth position on the ladder, but also won the NTFL reserves best and fairest.

“The team won its way through to the grand final by defeating South Launceston, Wynyard and Smithton, to set up a clash with Ulverstone, who had only lost one game all year.”

The 1938 seniors NTFA premiership capped off Launceston’s most successful period – winning six-consecutive flags – which were backed up with five state premierships in 1933, ’34, ’35, ’37 and ’38.