Tasmania's draft-age players are in a better position than most despite the cancellation of the NAB League, says North Launceston coach Taylor Whitford.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Originally scheduled to resume their seasons in the next month, the Tassie Devils' boys and girls' teams learned of the news on Tuesday, which came as Victoria's battle with coronavirus escalates.
Whitford said the State League would provide a crucial platform for young players to impress recruiters in the NAB League's absence.
"It is a disappointment for our guys to get that season called off - they've had it extended and been promised throughout that's it's going to get up, whether it looked like a round robin competition or a full-blown one," he said.
"A least the kids know now and the guys know that the competition's not going ahead and I guess it's my job as a senior coach and our club's job to expose our players as best we can.
"I believe that our kids have probably got a better chance in terms of proving themselves - they get to play senior footy - unfortunately the guys in Victoria don't get to play at all.
"They're on the stage and we've got to promote them as best we can."
MORE FOOTBALL: Free to play: Laskey let off striking charge
Whitford said Devils players had already begun turning heads in the competition's opening rounds.
"Not only our players in terms of Jackson Callow and Oliver Sanders, I think North Hobart's players and Clarence players on the weekend put themselves out there - Noah Holmes I thought was fantastic up forward for them," Whitford said.
"Our competition has been stronger this year for them playing so I hope that can continue in the years forward."
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
