Sleuths had been out in force for the best part of three decades to solve the Launceston Casino City Tigers riddle that had a number of players scratching their thinning hairlines.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
What happened to the missing 1981 NBL championship pennant?
Dean Draper remains one of a handful of former teammates raised and still living in Launceston pointing the finger - albeit in jest.
None were the wiser until this week.
"A couple of blokes have been accused of having it over the years," Draper said.
"They've always sweared and declared they didn't have it - and now we know they didn't.
"I never had any real personal suspicions of anybody, but it was just one of those things that we thought what ever happened to it."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT:
Former Hobart Chargers team manager Darren Cranfield suddenly came forward after receiving a tip from a mate of the elusive pennant's whereabouts.
An anonymous man found the keepsake buried at the bottom of a cardboard box in his dusty Hobart shed somehow.
Draper had ribbed old Tiger Steve Warren about its disappearance for years until they bumped into each other after the discovery.
The pair, who shared the same dressing for a couple of seasons including a memorable 1981, had enough time to also discuss its return home back into safe Launceston hands.
"He was one who was under suspicion of keeping it - and we were only talking about this morning," Draper said on Friday.
"He was of the opinion of what do those blokes in Hobart think about where it should be hung. They better send it back here now."
Draper recalls the pennant hanging in Elphin Sports Centre for several years after the title win over Nunawading Spectres in just the second National Basketball League season.
But renovations took over and someone took off with the biggest piece of Launceston basketball memorabilia. Not only that but the championship trophy still remains gone.
"Nobody knows what happened to anything," he said. "It got wound up in a hurry."
While its new home is debated, Draper is leading a call for a Launceston sports museum that is lacking by its own absence.
So much so the bench player was willing to donate his 1981 singlets, shorts and jackets.
"The basketball facilities in Launceston really doesn't have anywhere to do it justice where it can be seen," Draper said.
"I wouldn't like to see it just be hung on a wall again at Elphin."
Do you know a junior sports star who calls Northern Tasmania home? Nominate them today.
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Subscriptions are available here.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
DAILY
Your morning news
Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
