The NTFA premier division grand final will return to UTAS Stadium this season after a decade of absence.
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Since Rocherlea started its hat-trick in 2011, the top-flight grand finals have been held at Youngtown (2012,'13), Longford (2014, '15), Windsor Park (2016-19) and Deloraine (2020 Shield).
But this season the grand final will return to what NTFA president Scott Rigby coined the "home of football", being played on Saturday, September 11, with the division one and NTFAW contests being held at Windsor Park on Saturday, September 4.
"It's enormously exciting news for us," Rigby said.
"It's something we've been working on for a few years and something we've always wanted to achieve.
"At the end of the day, it was pretty simple, we had to get around a table and discuss what we wanted to do because a lot of feedback is that we want to bring community footy back and play it on the top stage.
"It's always been that mecca, it's always been that home of footy. I grew up back in the day coming to watch footy here watching sides like North Launceston, Longford, Scottsdale play in the old NTFA and it's always got that drawcard no matter what."
A sponsor clash with Carlton Draught is believed to have kept the association from playing games at the ground, however, Rigby confirmed that an "open conversation" had paved the way for the NTFA's major sponsor Boags to be "part of that day".
"Over a lot of years, all the clubs are saying they want to come back to UTAS.
"Hence we've taken that bandwagon up and we've listened to people and what they want.
"Players want to play on the best surface and the standard of football that's being played in the premier division this year actually justifies playing on the ground.
"With last year being what it was and the rest of it, the opportunity struck and our crowds are up enormously this year which is pretty significant and it's a really good confidence boost for the competition itself."
Rigby said the NTFA plans to bring the division one and NTFAW grand finals to UTAS Stadium as early as next year.
The September 11 match-up means the TSL grand final will be played the following day if Launceston and North Launceston are able to continue their form and earn hosting rights for the decider.
News of the NTFA's return to UTAS Stadium was welcomed by City of Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten.
"I've been to just about all the grand finals at Windsor Park and when I walk around that ground they used to say 'why isn't this being played at UTAS Stadium/York Park', so it's exciting news and important news," he said.
"This is the home of football in Tasmania and it is a great surface, it's one of the best surfaces around the country.
"I think all the young and not so young people that will be playing their footy that weekend would love to be playing on this surface and knowing that whether it's wet or not, they're going to be playing on a fantastic surface.
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
