TSL: North Launceston president urges NWFL to back East Devonport's TSL bid

Instead, the Bombers are urging the NWFL to support East Devonport's TSL aspirations to alleviate their frustrations.

The NWFL raised concerns last week that the players had been told by North Launceston they had to sign on a full-time basis rather than via dual registration, which was labelled a "dangerous precedent".

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The Bombers' president Thane Brady explained the reasoning behind the decision to not use the dual registration.

"There cannot be bullying when our club, the transferring players and their parents/ guardians follow the national guidelines for transfers to the letter," he said.

"Given these players will be focused on representing the Devils in the NAB U18 League our role will be supporting them when availability allows, hence why the dual registration was not the preferred vehicle."

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Brady also responded to claims from NWFL president Andrew Richardson, which centred around concerns for the players' welfare due to the travel time among other aspects.

"It's not unusual for us to accommodate players on our junior and senior list that live two hours' drive away. It's not an issue as these people are committed and embrace the overall experience," he said.

"It is extremely disappointing to be the target of unwarranted public criticism. Players lining up to join our program is clear evidence we offer a fantastic overall environment.

"The North-West coast players will enjoy the flexibility around training similar to our past successful management programs for other players."

Brady suggested the best option for the NWFL was to support East Devonport's aspirations to enter the TSL.

East Devonport confirmed that they had discussed entering the TSL in the coming years but that was subject to a number of caveats including player numbers and the league's future beyond 2023.

"Instead [Richardson should] turn his player welfare attention to publicly supporting East Devonport's aspirations to join the TSL," Brady said.

"Having a Coastal club on the North-West Coast playing in a talent competition will provide the option for aspirational players to remain based on the coast but be able to compete at the highest level in the state.

"We would prefer and publicly support a model where East Devonport plays in the TSL, therefore, providing options for the talented North-West players."

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