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Story Reported by

Jordan McArdle | The West Australian

Monday, 9 December 2019 12:37PM

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BY CHLOE HOPE

21/09/2009 12:00:00 AM

THE Robins' State League nest now looks empty. When the clubs and AFL Tasmania met on Friday, the issue of Ulverstone joining the State League next season was not discussed at length, and no vote was taken by the clubs. In effect it was put on the backburner by AFL Tasmania's proposal to the clubs about a restructure of the competition next year. A major attraction for Northern clubs to Ulverstone's entry was that the Robins would provide a crucial sixth team to create a fully functioning northern under 19 competition.

AFL Tasmania pulled the rug from under that premise with its proposal the statewide competition involve seniors competition and a youth team competition. Launceston president Mark Thurlow referred to it in the TSL preliminary final program. "The committee at Launceston believe the positives outweigh the negatives as the decision pertains to the regional youth competition," he said. He said one of the positives was a six-club northern under 18 or 19 competition that allowed the three teams from the club to play together on the same day at the same location. Ulverstone president John Deacon said it was a waiting game for the club, and the only feedback he had received from the meeting was that the Robins' situation had not much been discussed. He expected more details in mid-October. However, AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade said the atmosphere at the meeting of all 10 clubs on Friday was not positive where Ulverstone was concerned.

"The mood of the room was that it felt that the competition should settle in ... quite clearly all parties agreed that we can't chop and change all the time," Wade said. He added that the Ulverstone Football Club had officially presented its business plan to AFL Tasmania, and that the UFC would receive a response in due course. If AFL Tasmania likes the plan, it could ask the clubs to vote on Ulverstone joining next season. The meeting on Friday also discussed a number of operational issues and possible rule changes from events during the year and in accordance with the submissions from the clubs. Wade expects those changes and next season's roster to be wrapped up by the end of October as well. NTFL president Andrew Richardson was happy for Ulverstone to remain in the NTFL next season. "I don't think there would be any backlash at all ... we need that sixth team," he said.

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Former Ulverstone Premiership Player Kent Abey, now playing with Morningside in Queensland, recently appeared on the Footy Show's 'Almost Football Legends'. Kent took a mark right on the goal line and quickly kicked the ball across the line, only to find out that he was infact kicking a point and not a goal! Kent was voted the winner on the night so congratulations to Kent. We must say though your goal kicking ability seems to have gone downhill since you last kicked at the big sticks for the Robins!

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E: scott@taspak.com.au

M: 0407 009 596

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e: darren.banham@jmc.com.au

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ULVERSTONE 5.4 8.6 10.9 11.10 (76)

LATROBE 1.1 3.3 5.4 7.5 (47)

Goals – Robins: H. Anderson, T. McCrossen, J. Gale 2, J. Rodman, R. Hubble, J. Chatwyn, A. Johnson, K. Hanson.

Best – Robins: T. McCrossen, D. Banham, J. Gale, K. Hanson, J. Marshall, B. Johnson.

Injuries – T. McCrossen, D. Banham, K. Hanson (all leather poisoning).

Reports: G. Wesley, R. Bloom, M. Walmsley (all Ulverstone).

Crowd: 17 at Haywoods Reserve.

Can count: Trevor Brooks 14, Craig Price 12, Gary Crawford 11.

IT’S not often a winning coach smiles when he sees three of his star recruits taken to hospital in an ambulance.

But that is exactly what Max ``The Dentist’’ Brown did after watching the ex-Devonport trio of Darren Banham, Trent McCrossen and Kurt ``Anderson’’ Hanson firstly destroy a game

Latrobe at Haywoods Reserve on Friday night then head straight to the Mersey Hospital with severe leather poisoning.

The dynamic threesome lit up an otherwise dull and error-ridden match with their effortless ball-winning helping the Robins to lead at every break on their way to a 11.10 (76) to 7.5 (47) win.

``Banham and McCrossen certainly showed poise and class while Anderson could easily had three or four goals in an encouraging display,’’ the Dentist said.

``We got plenty out of the match and I was also happy to see Ross Hubble do well when he shifted into the ruck and Jarrod Gale kept plugging away in another promising effort.’’

Despite the showing of McCrossen, Banham and Hanson onball, the Robins still wasted the ball with indirect play and poor decision making.

Time and again with a player running free, poor disposal contributed to a turnover with gangly Demon tall Mathew Stephenson the normal benefactor.

Big ``Stevo’’ started at centre half back and had a run in the ruck on his way to a 18 mark game but apart from Charlie Ritchie, he received little support from his mid-sized team-mates.

From the first bounce though the fitter Robins created opportunities with their willingness to run from all lines.

Gale and Hamish Anderson in the key forward posts seemed an unlikely pairing but both were effective and worked hard despite Stephenson’s aerial dominance.

Hanson’s pace was another bonus for the Robin’s with the boilermaker-welder’s first three kicks all registering points.

``I was really nervous and wanted to do well,’’ Hanson told former coach Craig Price after the game.

``I know I have to kick goals and create opportunities if I want to play seniors and was a bit disappointed with my finishing work.’’

In one superb section of play late in the first term, Gale, Anderson and Hanson combined to pressure the undermanned Demon defence into a turnover which resulted in Hanson’s first red and black goal.

Regular defender Jayden Marshall was another to show the benefit of a strong preseason with a good effort on the wing and flank.

``Tigger’’ marked strongly and used his renowned long kicking with effect.

With the scoreboard getting lopsided midway through the second quarter, umpire Ricky Youd provided a game highlight when he showed some unintentional aggression by ironing

out Banham in a comical centre square skit.

Wagga recruit Ken Vanderfeen was relieved by Hubble in the ruck and spent time up forward before settling across half back.

``Feen’s’’ run and the inclusion of Nathan Howard off the bench provided a spark in defence but the Robins could not continue their scoreboard fluency.

With the Demons showing more fight, Hubble decided to audition for the upcoming ``Fight Night’’ featuring Gale in a quick sparring session on the Robins half-forwardline.

The rangy Hubble’s fistic efforts earnt him a cheer from the pro-Robin crowd but an early night on the bench from the umpires. The mini-melee sparked a three goal run by the Robins to snuff out the tired Demons.

Ulverstone’s next outing is at York Park against Glenorchy next week and ``the Dentist’’ may be able to consider rested players Jason King, Jarrod Skidmore, Sam WhishWilson,

Nils Williams, Darren Crawford, Nathan Applebee, Shaun Conkie, Luke Marshall, Randal Mee, Mathew Alford, Ben Murfet, Justin Hayes and the revitalised Geoff Wesley.

VOTES-

T. Brooks ( ex-champion)

3: McCrossen

2: Banham

1: Gale.

Justin Hayes ( current champion)

3: McCrossen

2: Banham

1: Stephenson.

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In probably the worst kept secret of recent times its been announced "The Fox" is staying at the helm of the Robins for his 15th season.After the Club resigned the vast majority of its list it bacame a mere formality.Max said "Its the best group he has ever been involved with" and is looking forward to going one better next season. A major plus for the club, (despite some discipline issues this year), is the boys Know what the team rules are now and the consequences of breaking them.The only losses I can confirm from here is Hamish Anderson who is moving to Hobart for UNI,Ken Vanderfeen who has moved to Albury for his employment and Josh McDermott who is going to Ballarat to take up a position with the ABC.

Board Director | Vice President & Treasurer

E: andrew.leary@findex.com.au

M: 0418 322 394

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BY MARTIN AGATYN

16/09/2009 9:22:00 AM

REIGNING NTFL premier Ulverstone could have up to five of the six votes it needs to join the Tasmanian State League. The Advocate has learned, from several reliable sources, that an Ulverstone bid is likely to have the support of Burnie, Launceston, Lauderdale, Clarence and South Launceston. Devonport and Hobart clubs have openly stated opposition to such a move, while North Launceston, North Hobart and Glenorchy are believed to be undecided. Of the five clubs believed to support an expansion, Launceston and Burnie have previously publicly expressed support. Robins' president John Deacon said yesterday no club had yet told him emphatically "yes, we will vote for you." "You know more than me," Deacon said yesterday.

But the club could be closer to gaining the required support than it is letting on - as indicated when Deacon reiterated earlier comments that if the vote was taken this week, he was "confident" Ulverstone would get the nod. He said Ulverstone's bid had been presented to every club in recent weeks, except Devonport, which would view the presentation tomorrow night. Deacon said he felt the presentation had been well received by a majority of clubs. AFL Tasmania's business plan includes a desire to expand the competition from 10 to 12 teams. However, its licence agreement with the existing 10 clubs includes a clause stating the approval of a majority of clubs (six) must exist before any expansion.

Club presidents are due to convene for a scheduled meeting with AFL Tasmania on Friday. AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade said he had not been advised of an agenda item on expansion of the league. "I don't expect a vote to be taken on Friday," Wade said. "AFL Tasmania will ultimately make the decision," Wade said. "But such a decision would not be made without full and proper consultation with the NTFL."

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Luke Marshall will play his 200th game for the Ulverstone Football Club this week against Smithton. Luke is a product of Ulverstone High School and first played under 19 football for the club upon leaving school in 1996 but unluckily missed selection in the premiership side of that year. Undeterred Luke rose to the challenge and played in the 1997 unders flag before he made his senior debut under Ritchie Elliott in 1998. 2000 was a great year for Luke being a key player in the Senior premiership team and winning the senior best and fairest that year. He has been a loyal and respected player over the years and who would forget the great job he did on Launceston star Adam Derbyshire in the mid noughties. His other brush with fame was the helicopter ride from Aurora stadium after a final so that he could get to his sisters wedding near Hobart in time and still be able to play. His loyalty to Ulverstone was rewarded last year with another premiership in 2009. Bazz will join an illustrious group of players to play 200 games for Ulverstone and become a playing Life member. Well Done on a great career and hopefully there will be more games to come.

The team had a very good week last week and their work ethic in the absence of fitness coach Dave Beard was very good. Training numbers on Friday exceeded 40 and the boys were put into groups to run 470 metre runs around the boundary in varying times.Vincent Ponsonby and the rest of the quick group were excellent. However all groups put in to such an extent that the Senior Coach reduced the amount from 10 to 8. Bentley Johnson and Dayle Brooks were 2 of the new faces last week, along with recruit Mark Harris who trained on Wednesday and Friday.There will be an intra-club shortly as a lead-up to the first practice game which is only 2 weeks from this Sunday (24th February against Scottsdale at Ulverstone).Some of the under 19`s continue to impress with their attendance with Luke Dyson, Sam Lutwyche and Adam Holmstrom regularly attending. The boys are keen and looking in good shape and I am sure this month will now go very quickly.

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ROBINS PUMP MAGPIES

IT may only be a practice match in early March against a team from another competition, but the new-look Ulverstone certainly showed it will be a better and more

equipped team to challenge the big NTFL teams this season following its 77-point thumping of Glenorchy on Saturday.

On the wide open spaces of former graveyard, Aurora Stadium, the Robins displayed plenty of leg speed, clean ball handling and cohesion to smash one of the

SFL’s premier teams in an awesome display.From the opening bounce where Ken Vanderfeen bounded high over the Magpie ruckman to hit a mobile rover, the

Robins were clearly a class above as they careered away to a six goal to nothing lead at quarter time.

Led superbly by teenager Hamish Anderson, the lightning quick Darren Banham, hard-at-it Jarrod Gale, the rejuvenated Jayden Marshall on a wing and unlikely backman

Kurt ``Anderson’’ Hanson, Ulverstone simply displayed all the skills coach Max Brown has been hammering into the squad since October.

Swift handball at the stoppages followed by a long direct kick to one of the myriad of mobile forwards has been a rarity at Ulverstone in recent years but promises to become its

trademark this season. Another pleasing aspect was the way Ulverstone kept its game together in the hot and humid conditions.

In the past with a match well in hand, the Robins have been guilty of relaxing but that was not evident with quarter goal scores of six, four, four and four.

With round one opponent North Launceston watching on, Brown moved his players like chess pieces keeping not only Glenorchy guessing but the Bombers as well.

Anderson played back and forward, Hanson in a back pocket and on ball, Luke Marshall full forward and back, Justin Rodman and Nils Willliams at centre half forward and back,

Gale on a wing and Jarrod Skidmore as a ruck rover.Stand-in captain Darren Crawford snared four goals to be the major scorer with no fewer than 12 players sneaking onto the

goalkicker’s list.Better players were Banham,``Warnie’’ McCrossen, Gale, Rodman, J. Marshall, Anderson, Hanson, Crawford, Vanderfeen and B. Johnson.

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Story By:

Mitch Woodcock | The West Australian

Monday, 19 August 2019 1:11PM

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Hi again Zumster, I know I should get over it and get on with things but I can't. I havebeen having nightmares ol' mate about the 2007 season and how close wewent and all that. I have gotta get it out of me system as it isstarting to have an effect on my home life. Ol' Robyn has been telling me to get over it and to start paying hersome long overdue attention or else...

Well the ol' Ball and Chain should know better than to put ultimatums tothe Rampant, cos she can go and get stuffed if she don't like the waythe Rampant is behaving. She has got to remember that there are plentyof North West women cueing up to take her job - if ya get my driftZumstar. Anyway with the season now only about 120 days away from kick-off, Ithought I had better start getting my mind of the game and ontosomething else. But the question being, what can replace footy? And you and me know that there is nothing out there that even comes close.

So last Saturday with Robyn's threats ringing in me Ginger Beers, Iheaded out to the Ulvey Cricket Club to watch some of the footy boys inaction - and didn't I get a surprise at who was playing. Firstly, senior VC clubman Andrew Leary was walking out in his neatlypressed creams to open the batting for the home team. Well this should be good I said to meself as I ordered a Carlton fromFormer Hard Man Terry Leary at the bar. So with that in mind I headed to the Slashatorium to take a quick leakand then settle into the VC Lizard's knock. But to my surprise when Ireturned to the bar 30 seconds later, the VC troublemaker was on themarch back to the pavilion. Out for a quacker, zero or as Robyn likes tocall me, the Big O provider. Geez what a let down, all I needed was the fellow VC clubman in WWO Cookto play for us as well, and we would indeed have the two worst bats in NWTCA history at the crease together. But later on, young SOBucket Josh Walmsley starred with the bat,rattling up a cool ton. What a beaut he is, I detect he is a natural this boy, he could beanything. Ex-backman Luke Richardson was doing his best Shoab Akhtar impersonationfrightening the opposition with the ball while in the Magoos, young Botty was doing well and Lady Killer Haynes was making his presence feltwith a well compiled 7 from 88 deliveries. But I was getting bored quick and started belting down the Carltons andthen a few Syrups just to keep meself a bit calm.

The Former Hard Man was bored also but was keeping me entertained with his quick wit and sometimes funny jokes. He also is pretty wise and toldme that a Man who scratches his backside should not bite hisfingernails. He then added this pearler about Benny Cousins - he said,Man who stand on toilet is high on pot. But then topped it all with this- Crowded elevator smell different to a midget. So with me A grade cricket fix under me belt, I ventured out into the country to watch a few more of our oval ball boys play in the lower bush grades. Soden, McCrossen, Spa Boy Benny Murf and VC Banham are all in the oneteam and were slogging the opposition bowlers to all parts of the Gawlerground. What a shambles it was, they are too good for the comp by a mile and should be there pressing VC Lizard's boys for a game on the stuff Benny Cousins uses as a pre-game warm-up - grass. But they like the laid back stuff and I did too. One of the oppositionblokes got called into work so I pulled on the whites to help em out.Modesty forbids me from telling ya how I went, but as you can imagine Idid okay, and maybe that's another story for another day. So I'll leave ya with a bit of wisdom meself Zumstar, an ol' Hakowie Indian saying that says, Man who fish in other man's well often end up with crabs. Well, Zumstar, keep up the good work and let the boys know that training starts pretty soon.

Signed THE RAMPANT ROBIN.

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NTFL PRESEASON REVIEW

With the season fast approaching, we thought it might be interesting to do a quick review of the NTFL teams.

Regular readers would be very aware of the work the young Robins have been putting in and who the new faces are so we will not spend much time on them at present.

So we will start with our Western friends Smithton who last year dealt us a costly loss at their own home which meant a vital ladder position.

They made the first semi-final under coach Cameron Blight but he has jumped ship and headed down south to Kingston in the SFL. Meanwhile a few of their regular players also have decided the heat in the NTFL kitchen was getting too hot.

No names have been mentioned in the inbox as yet so one would assume that with no height in their key positions they will struggle a bit.

Looking into my crystal ball I the can see them beating Wynyard, Penguin, East Devonport and maybe South Launceston at home so a finish around about 8th is their best result.

Fellow Cape Country side Wynyard also have a new leader in noted hard-nut Dale Whish Wilson.

But they too have been hit by player losses and will find it hard to compete with the power sides. But Wynyard can be a tough team at home as Ulverstone will remember from two years ago and will beat a few teams if they are under-estimated. The Cats love to flick the ball around and do have a number of topliners but depth (or namely lack of it) will annoy Whish very early in the season. Predicted finish from 9th to 11th.

The once powerful Burnie still command respect in the league and have the base for a strong side, but with numbers low on the track at present, they may struggle to match it with the others in the early matches.

New coach Rod Keogh has lured the pacy and skilled Robbie Gilligan to the club as well as goal-sneak and noted back jumper, Jarrod Ryan.

But they must cringe every time they see a bloke like Brett Wilson sitting in the stands and not out on the field making everyone look good.

Big Davis is still the best ruck in the competition and he will make West Park seem like heaven for Gilligan and his midfield mates.

But with no height up forward and only the Strettons and Wooldridge in key posts a lot will hinge on juniors like McKenna and Reeves.

Final’s star Brett Archer is rumoured to be off to Ridgley so a finish just outside the five awaits.

Big money spenders Penguin have lost a heap of players but also have a new coach a some interstate recruits.

But again depth will test the Two Blues and another season on the wrong side of the win-loss ratio will eventuate.

Clint Carpenter is a solid type in the ruck and Max Brown’s mate Justin Cotton is a goer at full forward, but big things will be needed from the Ling boys as well as a huge lift from the mid-sized type Penguin has in over-abundance if they are to soar again.

They will struggle though and I think a spot just below Smithton is at hand.

Perennial enemy Devonport have lost some names but have also picked up a few good ones in an effort to offset their losses. Gallagher returns after a good year in the strong Ovens and Murray and a few of Penguin’s better kids have joined the black and white army.

But doubts remain over the Pies big-game jitters and maybe their time clock for a flag has passed them by.

Langmaid, Lowe, Hazelwood and Clements will be asked big questions and if they answer positively, well they might be there again for the fourth year in a row.

Maybe coach Perry might need to be able to leave Langmaid in the square and get a winning ruck into place. Maybe the Hess boys or Clint Matthews will do the job.

Fourth or third is my tip for the team everyone seems to hate.

Across the river East are in for another long, long year.

They could not afford to lose anyone but did and have recruited little to date.

Chris Dell’s second year at the job will be harder and more hurtful than season 2006.

They are after Ben and Tom Reynolds but will need plenty more to test the others. Tip …last.

Latrobe have been busy in the off season and Mannie Lynch is quietly confident.

A few noted runners are back in Viney and O’Toole so they will speed up a bit, but they need a regular winner at full forward or centre half. They also have struggled with the bigger sides like Devonport and Launceston with their smallish and treacle-slow backline.

The Demons will be hoping Josh Holland comes back from interstate and if Zane Littlejohn gets his kicks middle and forward, they might make the five.

South Launceston’s chances of finals went out the window when Westfield joined the Devils. Without him they will be also rans who will win a few home games and a few away. Bad luck Doggies. Somewhere between 7th and 10th for you.

North also have shown they are the league leaders in losing players with another two or three hundred taking off over summer.

On the credit side a few have come back so they might be okay. Grima, Gilligan and Ryan are huge losses so they will struggle away from home but may just make the five.

Premiers Launceston are a bit vulnerable with Derbyshire, Stephens and Carins all training with the Devils.

If they go and Shipton sticks true to his word to go, they will come back to the field a bit but still have the goods to make it two flags in a row. They have pace to burn, skills, height a smart coaching panel and final’s nerve. The yardstick for all.

So there you are, what do you think? Send Zumbuk your ladder and we will present it for all to see if you are a good judge.

Congratulations Justin and Janelle Hayes on the birth of the first baby Inika seen here with Justins mum Barbara in club last week.

ULVEY GETS OVER BULLDOGS

ULVERSTONE’S great preseason form continued last weekend with the team enjoying a comfortable

win over South Launceston at the Robin’s Victoria Street ground.Playing a six quarter mixed match, both

coaches agreed to field their best in the opening three before giving up to another 18 players from the

reserve grade the chance to shine.The Bulldogs jumped Ulverstone early and used the strong Southerly wind

to bounce out to a three goal lead before the Robins hit back hard late in term one.Once again Les Hicks

Medal winner Jarrod Gale shone on a wing opening up the South defence with somesearching runs.

Gale has fitted in well and on present form will be a hard man to match up with for opposition teams with

his height, pace and left-foot kicking.With their turn to enjoy the breeze, Ulverstone cleared out to a 20-point

lead before South rebounded hardin the third stanza.Seeking someone to ignite the Robins, coach Brown

turned to veteran reserves captain Travis “Birkenshire’’Burk.

The “pig’’ booted two rare goals in what is believed to be one of his only forwardline games in red and

black colours to kick the home side on to the winning post.“We ran fairly hard and whilst the kicking skills

left a fair bit to be desired, I thought once again we got something out of the game,’’Brown said.

Another new recruit to make his debut was 40-something backman Daryl Galpin.

The former East Ulverstone star came on late and impressed with his willingness to run hard at the ball

and be accountable.Like all the 2007 recruits, the “Galpinator’’ has breathed fresh air into the club and

looks set to be a top clubman this year.

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[BB] ULVERSTONE BY MARTIN AGATYN

15/09/2009 12:00:00 AM

ULVERSTONE is steaming ahead to join the Tasmanian State League next year and is confident the current clubs will back its bid. The bid has been strengthened by Saturday's NTFL grand final victory. "As the reigning NTFL premier, we make a very attractive prospect for the TSL," Ulverstone president John Deacon said. Deacon said the club had been working hard to shore up support for its bid, which would require the approval of six of the 10 existing State League clubs. Former players helped celebrate the victory over the weekend, including several who now play with Devonport in the State League with former coach and statewide bid supporter Max Brown also in attendance.

Former player Sam Whish- Wilson, now with the Northern Bombers, is considering moving back to the Coast next year for work and said he would love to play at his old club in the TSL. "We have put together our strategic plan, a business plan and a financial plan and we've made presentations to more than half the clubs," he said. It is understood the Launceston clubs saw the DVD and heard the presentation last Tuesday and the southern clubs later in the week. Burnie has also seen the plans. Deacon said he was confident if a vote was taken tomorrow, Ulverstone would get the nod. No date has yet been set for TSL clubs to consider applications from new clubs. He said it was important to take the next step forward for the club and help the players play at the highest level.

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Ian Wotherspoon NTFL President, said the matter is on the agenda for the NTFL AGM which is on Dec 4.He summised "The proposal wouldn't even be at 10% of becoming a goer". No doubt a lot of research,task force's,lists of pro's and Cons etc etc etc need to be made.Shane Walker ,President of Burnie said"We must give it due process" The Question will still remain what possible benefit will anybody derive from such a competition?Its BS and everyone knows it.We should be puting all our energies into making the NTFL and our town based clubs and competition bigger,better and stronger. Ian added in the paper Thursday that it probably would never happen. here here.

THE RAMPANT ROBIN

Gee, what are those two wackers who run this website doing? Fancy asking me, The Rampant Robin to write a yarn each home game about the mighty Robins smashing all and sundry.

Well I will, and this here is my first effort and I don’t really care if you like it or not, they asked and as my other knickname of ``The Postman’’ says, I always deliver.

First up, I won’t disclose my real name, cause I don’t want any fanmail but anyway if you look closely and have half a brain, you might work out who I really am.

For a start I always hang around the bar before the main game and up at the Oak tree during the ones. And despite being a fair man and impartial, I have a bit to say about our great team and the hopeless opposition.

You might reckon you know me already and maybe you do, but I won’t give my secret away and those pullers who run the website better not either.

Well here we go and today started just the same as any other with me opening my eyes wondering where the hell am was.

Geez I was crook after a big night at the River Arms, the Lighthouse and then at the Forth Pub chasing some skirt. All that knocked me around for a while till some grub from the club canteen during the unders put me right.

As usual, I was impressed with the juniors and why wouldn’t I be, as I have had a fair bit to do with what runs out each week in all grades.

As well as a dead set footyhead, I am a bit of a ladies man and many a player has run out here in the red and black with the old Rampant Robin’s gene in his blood, if you catch my drift.

As the siren sounded to finish another great win for Barney Howard’s boys and for the start of the twos, I cracked my first Carlton Draught can and boy did it hit the spot.

Big Matty at full forward is my favourite in this time slot and I also have more than moderate admiration for the bloke ``Dentist’’ Brown calls ``The Birkenshire Pig’’ in the great Travis Birk.

Birky and big Matty are a lot like me in many ways, and I reckon they must have modelled themselves on my gutsy style when I played the game a few years back. But I won’t talk too much about myself as I might give the game away when I start telling you how good I really was.

The boys as expected got the points despite Burnie havingb an undeserved shot after the siren and I too was hitting my straps with my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, , 5th and 6th cans going down easy.

A bloke from Burnie had obviously stopped in Penguin on the way and had a few heart starters and was chipping away at the boys during the senior warm-up. The stroker was saying Buzzard was too old, Hubble too skinny, Lukey ``Muffler’’ Marshall was a corner kicker and that Joe Pearson should concentrate on triathlons instead of the world’s greatest game. I told him Buzzard and Nugget were not even playing and I nearly had to put him to sleep, but he bought me a can so we now are best mates despite him having no idea about the game.

Well, as expected we were killing them from the first ball-up despite Brown playing them all out of position. Old Barney was having a field day calling on him and despite this - I was enjoying seeing the old enemy who had smashed everyone for years struggling to stay with us.

SOB (son of Barney) and SOL (son of Leigh) were missing but FEDC (former East Devonport champion) Justin Hayes was starring and SOBi (son of Bill), SOA (son of Ampol), SON (son of Nuts) , SOZ (son of Zumbuck) and SOC (son of Chatty) were going okay as well. Up here with me, SOP (son of Polly) and SOT (son of Tex), both injured, were into their sixth cans under the tree and offering plenty of encouragement for their fit teammates.

Former champion goal-kicker Trevor Brooks, Trevor Stephens and ex-defender Clayton Williams fresh from being flogged in the B grade coastal tennis grand final earlier in the day were creating some interest with their creative thoughts at the bar, while Andrew Van seemed to have a oversized megaphone implanted in his chest with his loud barracking.

Some clown from West Park tried to outshout Van and reckoned we had to win this year after buying all the new recruits in the off season. BOT (brother of Trevor) and COS (chairman of selectors) Craig Brooks threatened to put him straight, straight to sleep that is and that shut the him and other yafflers from the world’s windiest footy ground right up.

A few more beers then onto the Black Deaths (Jim Beams) to wash down Ronny Ansells healthy burgers after half time, and I was just like the Robins, flying.

We were home and I was well on my way once again.

As a Robin fan, I was treated like royalty under the tree from most and I even got a phone number from a growler as well. Well as you would expect from a noted ``pants man’’ , that worked out rather nicely for all concerned later that night after another big session at the clubrooms.

So there we have it, my first write up and there will be another after our next home game and four points against the Cats in round four.

By the way here are my votes for the game.

3: Banham

2: Crawf.

1: Frodo, Timmy Mee and Hamish Anderson.

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[BB] NTFL BY CHLOE HOPE

15/09/2009 12:00:00 AM

THE Robins want to fly the NTFL coop, but AFL Tasmania has the power to clip their wings. NTFL president Andrew Richardson said the departure of Ulverstone - leaving five NTFL clubs - could spell the end of the competition. The NTFL may be forced to rely on AFL Tasmania to save it. Something could be known as soon as Friday when the 10 clubs meet with AFL Tasmania and a decision could be made. Richardson said it would be a "disaster" if the Robins left the league next year, without an alternative team in place. Ulverstone is keen to exit the North-West competition and enter the state league in 2010, and is confident it can get the support of the current 10 clubs. But AFL Tas general manager Scott Wade said he was "very conscious" of the NTFL's situation and AFL Tasmania would have to sign off on any extra clubs joining the league. "According to their licence agreements, clubs have a simple majority vote to agree on expansion of the competition, and AFL Tas may consider such a team," Wade said.

"AFL Tas has been very clear in terms of what's already in our business plan, but we are very conscious of the NTFL's situation," he said. "There is no desire from AFL Tas to just blatantly destroy the NTFL." Richardson was convinced that would be the outcome if the Robins went to the TSL for next season. "There is a chance we wouldn't go ahead - the five clubs could go to the wall," he said. The worst thing for Richardson was the instability at the moment with no answers yet. "It really is a very sad situation if Ulverstone was prepared to abandon the other five clubs," he said. Wade said the focus for AFL Tasmania was helping the NTFL to find a team to represent the Burnie area. Once the TSL season ends on Saturday, Wade said things would begin to happen on that front.

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BY CHLOE HOPE

14/09/2009 12:00:00 AM

WHEN Troy Davies put an NTFL premiership medal around the neck of Chris Haynes, he summed up Ulverstone's success - teamwork. There was a tear in the eye of many after Ulverstone blasted Smithton off the park to win the NTFL grand final on Saturday. For the Saints, it was the agony of frustrated desire and an inability to play their best as they received an 88-point thrashing. For the Robins, it was a victory against the odds. The Robins had managed to rise above the unsettling elements of a new coach, 46 players cleared to other clubs in the off-season and controversy around whether the club should join the State League.

In the rooms after the match, coach Davies praised his players for believing in themselves and then paused before he told Haynes to come forward and accept a medal. Haynes was the player Davies had to drop on Thursday night after training. It was an illustration of how much every contribution counted. None moreso than Jarrad Gale who was a textbook centre half-forward on the day and came home with the Wilf Barker Medal as the best player in the grand final.

Rob Wing of Harvey Norman Devonport has got behind the youth of the club by donating 10 new balls for the Unders to train with as we move into the second half of the year. Rob, who is the brother of Director Greg and Club Legend Wayne, is the uncle of Ryan Wing who is having a great first season in the Under 19's. Rob was only to keen to help out and also donated 10 new balls for the teams at Ulverstone High School which is a feeder to the Ulverstone Football Club. Football Director Kurt Crawford was appreciative of the support and coaches Matt Deegan and Shaun Conkie think this will be a huge benefit for the High school teams who are enjoying good seasons so far.

A Big thank you to Rob and the team at Harvey Norman

Rob Wing of Harvey Norman in Devonport presents the balls to Under 19 Coach Glen Lutwyche and senior player Sam Lutwyche.

RAMPANT ROBIN

WELL after my first offering after the Burnie Dockers mismatch, ol’ Zumbuk has asked me to knock together another yarn about our away run against East Devonport.

I told him I would only do the home games but he said some of you readers wanted a bit more of the old Rampant’s writings on our sensational team.

So I will give you sort of the same scenario starting with when I prised my eyes open after a dozen hours or so of grog-induced sleep.

Like yesterday and the one before that and on and on, I woke as crook as a dog again. Don’t know what it is, but every time I have a large grasshopper or two after a few dozen frothies, I get a bit bilious. For those of you that are not as smart as me, bilious means ``Butchers’’, butchers hook = crook.

So after I emptied my innards into the Fowler, I rocked up to the Clock Takeaway for some fried dim sims, spring rolls, chips and coke (not the sort Benny Cousins likes), and away I went to Swanlake with me old mate Della.

Going past Buttons Avenue I saw The Dentist watering his instant lawn again. This bloke does not give a stuff about water restrictions and maybe he is getting his place ready for Garden Monthly or something. The old Dentist is getting round like a half-shut pocketknife these days and was a slow player in his prime and reminds me of a flat I lived in in Melbourne once – he lacked a yard.

Now in the past a trip over to East was not to be looked forward to if you happened to be a player or even a supporter.

The old Swans were a rough and ready mob who loved a fight more than a feed both on and off the ground, a bit like me in my heyday.

Plenty of players used to run out onto the big ground and on more than the odd occasion - not as many run off. Some came off on stretchers courtesy of the red and white boys and others tore hamstrings in the warm-ups like the old Dentist is rumoured to have done on more than one occasion. But as well as being an on ground minefield, the Swannies could also play a bit. Tim Allen, Peter Borlini, Ross Harris, Boof and Tim Smith and AFL stars such as Graeme Wright, John Greening and David Honeybun all were regular stars in the old days but today’s version are struggling a bit. Anyway, the Robins of today would be too good for any of the teams, new or old.

The unders and ressies belted em as predicted and while I was watching the ones gear up, I felt a bit for new Robin and 2007, 2008 and 2009 Darrel Baldock Medallist Justin Hays.

Now I am no softie, as the smart alec who tried to get into my left jab (cab) at the Lighthouse on Thursday night found out. He will be out of intensive care soon but will have learnt a lesson not to try and steal taxis. But Hays was a dead set champ with the Swans and some of them must have short memories because they were giving him a serve or two as he drilled 55 metre passes in the warm-up.

As usual, me and Della were at the bar belting a few into us and went into bat for the champ. But they soon shut up because Della reckons they must have read the book about me or have seen the DVD, and they soon came around and agreed Hays was and is one of the best in the NTFL. They even coughed up a few cans of VB to calm me and old Della down.

Now you blokes that know Della realise he would not hurt a fly. He is a lot like ex-under’s coach Donny Cooper – terrified. Coop was not a tough player and used to sleep with the light on and reckoned marbles was a contact sport so you get what I mean about old Della.

Anyway, with me backing him up he had plenty to say and nearly got in a fracas with a few old east players, but when I stepped in - they stepped out.

With a few of our regulars still out including SOZ (knee), SOBi (sore arse), Frodo (World Cup), Melhuish (Japan), Triathlon Nugget (married-poor sod), the Hubbilator (knee) and Shaun ``Beckham’’ Conkie (calf), we still had too much on tap for the young cygnets and quadrupled our percentage.

The State boxing champ got a run on ball and didn’t he turn it on. Taps, marks and kicks flowed from the left-footer in a super display.

Junior went to the square and joined Crawford and Hays for some goal-kicking practice and Hamish starred yet again. Where in the hell are the Mariner’s spies? They must be mad not to have him in their side.

I reckon he will be the next senior coach when the hierachy finally come to their senses and sack the Dentist. The 17-year-old Hamish would step straight in as the youngest playing coach of all time.

Votes for the East match-

3: Jack

2: Hays

1: Senior coach Hamish, Crawford, McCrossen, Dwayne Howard.

Running tally –

5: Banham

4: 2007 Baldock Medallist Hays, Jack.

3: Senior coach Hamish, Crawford, McCrossen

2: Frodo.

1: T. Mee, K. Hanson.

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An Excellent turn up of around 50 players greated Head Coach Max Brown and Fitness Coach Dave Beard at the firsty official meeting for season 2008. The boys will have 3 runs prior to christams with a programme being instigated for the break.Four Practice matches are also planned with an interstate trip & trial a distinct possibility. The first game will be a night game at home on the 22nd March against Burnie.A draft draw can be seen on the DRAW page,We stress its only a draft with the final approval being after the NTFL AGM. The Under 17's team is also a definate goer in '08.

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ROBINS MUST IMPROVE

By Mark Williams,

ULVERSTONE’S average 2 win-1 loss start to the season sees the club sitting in fourth place on the NTFL ladder and consequently has placed enormous pressure on the side to lift in the coming weeks.

The shock first round loss to Northern Bombers may come back to haunt the Robins later in the season and highlights just how important each game can be to the team’s final’s chances.

With Devonport surprising some by clearing out at the top of the ladder with three superb wins over pre-season finals hopefuls Launceston, Bombers and Latrobe, Ulverstone must keep winning and not drop the so-called easier matches as top spot, or at least a top three finish, is imperative if the side is to cast any claims on this year’s flag.

The Magpies were supposed to be weaker this season but have ridden out the bumps regarding player loss by producing quality direct team-orientated play resulting in huge winning scores.

In contrast the Robins could not finish off the Bombers when leading late in the game and then when injury-ravaged, limped over the line against Burnie before flogging East Devonport.

Some supporters have been saying that Saturday’s result was a good one for the club , but the reality is East did not provide enough pressure to see if indeed the Robins are improving.

This week against Wynyard is another winnable game but the team must start to produce a style that becomes first nature and familiar and one that the so-called power teams (Devonport, Bombers, South and Launceston) might struggle with.

With the player make-up still unsettled due to injury and unavailability, the mixture may be hard to conjure but with height up the spine and speed and skill on the flanks, the Robins should be able to make a start on the type of game structure required.

Ken Vanderfeen’s knee seems to be on the mend freeing him to play whilst Nils Williams should resume after his lower back problem. The extra talls should allow Ulverstone to once again stretch the opposition’s backline if they so wish.

Justin Rodman can play in either key post which gives coach Max Brown multiple rucking options. Jarrod Gale is a sleeper for a follower’s spot and Ross Hubble may come back in against his old side.

Reserves ruckman Josh McDermott continues to impress his coach Kristian Thomas and many others at the club so a senior call-up should not be too far off for the tall blonde.So the height factor which was missing last year and cost them against teams like Launceston and the Bombers should not be a concern.

In the middle Trent McCrossen, Tim Mee, Kurt Hanson, Darren Banham, Jarryd Chatwin, Justin Hays and Jayden Marshall are in solid form.

This group however can still improve and reach the level of Devonport by increasing their two-way running skills and by speeding up their delivery.

An NTFL premiership coach of not long ago said to me a few weeks back that this group can make or break Ulverstone and holds the key to 2007.

Potentially they can be the best midfield in the league and if they get it right - then the club will reach the upper ladder spots before too long.

Down back Zane Good, Luke Marshall, Jason King and the Howards - Nathan and Dwayne are in good touch.

This should allow Hamish Anderson and Jarrod Skidmore to play onball or up the ground more often giving the mid section even more class.

So with Wynyard, Launceston, Penguin and Latrobe on the horizon, and with Joe Pearson, Brent Melhuish and Shaun Conkie all ready to return in the coming weeks we can reasonably expect to see Ulverstone playing a more direct and free scoring style.

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THE GAME BY CHLOE HOPE

14/09/2009 4:00:00 AM

NOTHING in the first quarter hinted at what was to come. Both sides were intense and prepared to fight for the ball and a chance at NTFL premiership glory. If anything, Smithton had the edge over Ulverstone as it kicked with a slight breeze and went into the first break a goal up. Josh Smith led the way for the Saints, and forward Damien Medwin was drawing the best defender and letting Vince Elliott have some space - and he was marking well. But the Robins know how to play a grand final, and coach Troy Davies understood the power of momentum. In the second term Ulverstone came out roaring - Davies produced three goals after creating space in the prime goal-kicking area for himself, seemingly out of nothing. Jarrad Gale also really came into the game as a marking presence, and Jeremy Soden and Dwayne Howard were excellent ball movers.

Smithton hardly had an inside 50 as the Robins pumped home 10 massive goals to nil. The large Smithton crowd contingent was stunned into near- silence. But the Saints never gave it up and came out after half-time clearly pumping and ready to shift the momentum their way. Unfortunately, Vince Elliott missed the first goal, and Davies slotted one. All was not lost when Medwin scored a short time later, but after Jarrad Gale replied within a minute, the Saints admitted defeat, 10 minutes into the third quarter. The rest of the match was a matter of pride and whether Ulverstone could beat the NTFL record for the highest score in a grand final. It was close but not quite - the Dockers set the record against Devonport in 2004, with 23.19 (157). The Saints also escaped the lowest losing score by a small margin. Ulverstone scored only 5.12 (42) against the Dockers in 2002.

A Can of worms has been opened, by the NTFL, announcing at its AGM, that it will be imposing fines of $200-$500 for persons bringing the NTFL into disrepute.The backlash has erupted,as no guidelines or boundaries have been put in place, leaving the NTFL acting like "Big Brother".Many of the issues first outlined as being fineable under this by-law have now been reassessed as being appropriately handled either by the law or in house by the clubs themselves. General Manager Ian "Gretel" Wotherspoon conceded that guidelines and boundaries need to be set.,probably leaving the by-law as a lame duck as Imposing monetary penalties, would inevitably be challenged and appealed. Should go into the shredder along with the state league proposal .

Longtime Ulverstone supporter Claude Brown is moving to Queensland at the end of July. Claude and Jill are moving to be closer to their family who have been in Queensland for a number of years. The club wishes them well in their future endeavours and the Kitchen co-ordinators will miss Claude's valuable contribution of produce to the kitchen and canteen over a long period of time.

In recognition the club is planning a farewell get together at the clubrooms on Thursday 15th July from 6 - 8 pm where there will be finger food served and happy hour will go for 2 hours. Look forward to seeing everyone there to stir Claude along.

ULVERSTONE v GLENORCHY PREVIEW

AFTER the Robins successful outing against Latrobe at Haywoods Reserve two weeks ago everyone at the club is buoyant

and feeling good about the upcoming season.The Robins outclassed the Demons with a number of regulars and recruits doing

well with quick ball movement the key aspect.The 30-point win gave our boys a fantastic kick along after a hard and long

preseason but a much sterner test awaits on Saturday at Aurora Stadium.The Glenorchy Magpies, fresh from a 70-point

whipping of NTFL power Launceston, will present a different challenge to an Ulverstone side that is showing all indications it

will be a stronger unit this season.Under the leadership of former Robin David Newitt, the Magpies have recruited hard off

season with former Robin darling Matthew Smith among its big name recruits.Matty starred in his debut last week but a niggling

hamstring strain will keep him sidelined this Saturday. Another top liner to don the black and whites will be former Melbourne

winger and Tassie Devil captain Ben Beams.Beams has quit the Devils and will add enormously to what already is a strong

Glenorchy midfield.But the Robins can win if they play their best side but will they?

Coach Brown will be aware that the Robins first round opponent North Launceston will be watching on and will be reluctant to

show his hand too early.Some big names may be rested and players may find themselves in strange positions.

Will Hubble, Rodman, Williams, Gale or Vanderfeen ruck? Who will play at CHF and FF? Will it be Good or Horton? Will

McCrossen, Hanson, Hayes, Haines and Banham play midfield or at all? Will Skidmore roam the half back line or start at CHF?

Will Zumbuk get his senior chance to debut and get off the dreaded emergency list?Whatever the result, the game will give the

boys another game under their belts and help prepare them for the season opener also at York Park in a few weeks.

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BY MARTIN AGATYN

12/09/2009 12:00:00 AM

OPPOSING coaches for today's NTFL grand final at Latrobe weren't letting much out last night, ahead of a match which tipsters predict could go either way. Smithton coach Steven Coombe re- confirmed injured star Scott Bryan would not play in the biggest match of the year, but Ulverstone coach Troy Davies isn't buying it. Coombe said Bryan pulled up sore after training on Wednesday night and despite a light training run last night, the prognosis for his ankle was no better. Coombe won't finalise his interchange bench until this morning when he sees what the weather is doing, after Ulverstone exposed the Saints in a wet second semi- final. He is sticking to his eight-man bench for now, with Bryan and Alex Hursey named as emergencies. "Training has been good and we're quietly confident, but we will have to be at our best to beat them," Coombe said. Davies said he was confident Bryan would run onto the ground at 2pm today. "I don't believe a word of it - they will play him," he said.

But Davies said he wasn't worried about the possibility of Bryan playing and wouldn't change his game plan. "Our structure will stay the same way it has for the past month and I have full faith in whoever gets the job on Bryan to get it done," Davies said. "We won't be changing anything based on who they say is in or out," he said. "And we don't care if it is wet or dry either, so we won't be making any late changes based on the weather." Experts are divided on who will be the NTFL premier at 5pm tonight, with no clear favourite for the flag. Smithton finished on top of the ladder four games clear of Ulverstone, but the Robins won the last two encounters between the two, including the second semi-final, to qualify for the grand final first. The Robins have had a week off, but Smithton bounced back against East Devonport in last week's preliminary final and perhaps the additional hard contest could prove the perfect lead-in to an expected tough grand final.

Rampant Robin at the Ulverstone v Wynyard game.

Another day and another three wins for the mighty red and blacks.

First up Gazza’s boys belted one of the better-performed junior teams of recent years and then Little Thommo’s mob coasted to another four points in the twos.

Then the ones after a slow start flogged a pretty undisciplined Cats mob to hop into second place on the wozza.

The unders win was made even more impressive as one certain ex-coach who got the sideways shuffle was seen mumbling voodoo chants in the grandstand wanting the Cats to get up.

Despite that they won well and ol’ Barney is to be patted hard on the back for doing a good job.

In the ressies, our boys led by the irrepressible Matty Turner and Tiny Tim Auton helped themselves to a great 100-point plus hammering.

Ol’ Hooch had it on a string when he got the chance without some of the others getting under his feet, but some uncharacteristic inaccurate kicking cost him a 10-goal plus tally. Tip toe Auton did plenty and I reckon he will be hammering on the Dentist’s door asking questions regarding two o’clock for next week.

At the main time slot, the boys crept out of the blocks but had too much in the tank to win going away against an average Wynyard side. Anyway, the day was not the same for me, as I did not wake up my normal crook self. The Friday night was spent watching Frodo’s mob smash poor old Ireland in the Wilson Pickett.

Fancy leaving beautiful Ulvey to go to the Caribbean for a cricket holiday.

Anyway, I did not feel right and got to the footy feeling like I had let someone down. Now maybe I did as Doc Heikenin the best quack in Tassie, took one look at me and immediately booked me in for a service. He reckoned I looked a bit like a 1997 edition of Playboy from the Ulvey market – second-hand.

Without waiting, I snuck into the clubrooms and hit Coxy for a heart starter and presented myself once again to the Doc. Miraculous he said, I had improved so away I went with a gusto.

Well, I was quickly into a shout with a few blokes at the Oak tree and was in full cry once the teams hit the ground.

Boy did we go alright when we went up the guts. Young Josh ``Dermie’’ McDermott starred in the Uncle Buck and goal-sneak Crawf had it on a string again. Wander medallist Hays was good and Junior got a few sausages before rolling his ankle. Down back Buzzard was Buzzard and his cousin was okay as well. Senior coach Hamish got better as the day wore on and Timmy Mee was near BOG.

McCrossen got a fair bit of the pill out on the wings and Kurt Anderson got snottered to go with his good game. His mate SOBi (Nils) landed a few to his antagonist to even the score.

Up in the stands the Dentist was working the interchange just for the sake of it I reckon. He had the blokes going all over the ground. Maybe someone should tell him that it is okay to leave the boys in the one spot for more than two minutes.

Well that’s it for the Cats belting. Here are my votes.

3: Buzzard

2: Timmy Mee

1: Crawf, McCrossen, Basketballer Murf, Anderson Hanson, Senior coach Hamish.

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RUMOUR MILL – True or false????

FORMER under 19 coach Don Cooper made a rare appearance at training the other night.

Now retired from the coaching caper, the football-mad Cooper is ever ready to offer his views about the game to anyone

who will listen and still retains the football obsession he developed as a small boy growing up in Penguin.

Casting a critical eye over the Robins training, Don explained to the bar he no longer had the passion for the game and was pleased to have finished with it

altogether.He expoused how it had consumed his life for over 35 years and how he now had found plenty to do outside football.

Quickly downing his beer, Cooper wished everyone well and added that he had to dash as he had plenty to do at home and was ``under the pump’’ workwise.

Little more than 10 minutes later, ``The under-the-pump’’ Cooper was seen watching his old team Penguin train and over an hour later, was seen and heard

perched at the Penguin bar telling the Two Blue faithful how he no longer had the necessary time or passion to get back into football.

Donny just can’t keep away.

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The STATE FINAL will return in 2008 after a 30 year hiatus .The premiers in the SFL and NTFL will slug it out to decide the state champion club.This will follow a rep side challenge midway through the Season.This is a fantastic development and all parties should be commended for sorting out their differences over the past 3 years to get to this point (could be the State League BS that has polarised people to co-operate and take action).Its a mystery why this ever was allowed to fade out as it will give all players and clubs something higher and viable to strive for.

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Darren Crawford and Sam Whish-Wilson have been refused clearances from the Robins to the Northern Bombers on the grounds of the under 21 Rule which came to light last season when Butler and Licht wanted to move from Penguin to Devonoport .Both clubs have been directed by,General Manager ,Ian Wotherspoon ,to negotiate bvetween each other before reapplying for clearances.Bombers Club president Reg Lyons said."Crawf" and "Whishy" are living in Launnie studying at the university and wouldnt be lost to the coast forever qouting : "One day they'll come back to Ulverstone" It would appear that this is a strategic move targetting the uni for ex coasters studying in Launceston as upto 11 players from various clubs are signed by the bombers.

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LAUNCESTON TOUCH UP

BOY are those commodore cars tough or what.

Everyone knows a commodore story whether it be about an old one like the hoon-mobile SLR 5000 or something like those brand spankers the crusty Robin supporters drive round in.

But after seeing a silver commodore roll into Windsor Park on Saturday in one piece, the legend continues to grow.

At the wheel was the ``Dentist’’, the man who has the club’s top job on short-term loan from his second banana, Hamish ``Senior coach’’ Anderson.

With the ``Dentist’’ hogging most of the front viewing area, not a lot of room would be left in a normal car.

But, somehow in the Car of the Year’s passenger side seated comfortably, was possibly the world’s greatest sport’s expert in Stephen ``Toad’’ Pearce.

``Toad’’, a single figure handicapper in golf, was a great coastal cricketer and is currently among the upper echelon of coastal poker players. He enjoys his footy and loves nothing more than to come along and encourage his beloved Robins whenever he can. And besides, he is always willing to be the designated driver – making him a very valuable commodity.

Crammed into the backseat behind ``Toad’’ was the irrepressible Gerry Callander.

Gerry is very much a ``Dentist’’ fan and rarely ventures far from his side, so he would have found not only the cramped quarters behind Stephen troubling, but the one-one sit away from his leader very upsetting.

On Gerry’s hard right was the new FC.

The ``Forward coach’’ sometimes goes by the name of Trevor Brooks and he too was finding the travelling conditions a little close for his comfort.

When the ``FC’’ played footy, it was usually on a flank and with a job as a greenkeeper - would be used to space, but this was different.

Squeezed in behind the ``Dentist’’ and nuzzled into the FC’s side was Murray’s Big Day Out.

Muzza may not be tall like his son Glenorchy Matthew but he too likes space and was not enjoying the Brant and Todd-like conditions.

So, with the windows wound up and the five larger than large frames breathing various forms of halitocious into the cosy atmosphere, and with body odours permeating into each others clothing, the sardine-like inhabitants’ tempers became frayed.

Tempers became agitated at Latrobe and by Exeter, voices were being raised.

Anderson should be left in one position and up forward screamed the FC. He should be there with champion goal sneak Matty Turner in a pocket. Leave Williams in the ruck croaked Toad. Hanson has to tag Ellis bellowed the Dentist – Gerry agreed. Murray’s Big Day Out yelled that McCrossen should start on the wing and so on and on it went.With each outburst the members puffed out their respective chests causing pressure-cooker like tension inside the silver commodore.But somehow, it made it to the swamp-like oval despite carrying two tons plus of flesh and with a driver sporting less than 20-20 vision.

But the Robroys won easily anyway.

As usual, Jack, Timmy, senior coach and Dwayne starred.

The ressies flogged theirs and the unders chimed in as well.

All in all a great day – Bring on the Two Blues.

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WESLEY GRANDSTAND

TRAINER Geoff Wesley’s playing career centred mainly on the West Coast where he followed in his late

father George’s footsteps.

George was a lifelong supporter of West Coast football from 1924 to 1984 dedicating 60 years to the Lyell

and Queenstown clubs.

In honour of his outstanding devotion, Geoff has been invited to the Queenstown Oval for Saturday’s historic

Tassie Devils practice match where his father and the late Jan Frimley will be honoured with the oval’s

grandstand to be named after them.Jan Frimley was tragically injured going for a mark on the ground and is

the only footballer to have lost his life on the infamous gravel.Geoff will make the trip to represent his family

despite the Robins playing South Launceston in a practice game.

E: nick.saunders@incitecpivot.com.au

GOING back in time to when I was an ankle biter playing in the hedge behind the town end goals on a Saturday, me dear long gone father used to say to me that there are only three certainties in life. ``Young Rampant,’’he would say, ``They are death, taxes and football officials from south of Oatlands who tell nothing but lies.’’But following a weekend of footy that included Chris Judd’s impersonation of a Kung Fu master delivering a claw hold on Rischitelli, own Timmy ``King Hannah’’ Mee being runner up in the Baldock and another Devonport final’s capitulation in the Statewide NTFL second’s competion, we can safely add another certainty in life.And that dear reader is the never ending attack on Footy Tasmania and anyone who dares talk to em by the head honchos of the NTFL.Up at the Mr Magic count last Sunday, the league’s spruikers once again trotted out the tired lines about the southern rotters.They inferred that SWL bigwig Dom Baker couldn’t attend cos the Ulvey table was chockers. Ha bloody ha.Well give it a break NTFL.

The endless attacks on Wade and his cronies aint doing us any favours here on the coast. When the AFL money is divided up - we don’t get our fair portion. Bit like being at a keg with Don Cooper or Bench Coach Brooks, you don’t get your share of the spoils. And whilst I and nearly every coastal footy follower apart from Foxy Brown and Mark and Glenn Lutwyche agree with most of the stuff yous trot out, I don’t think whinging and whining about their versions of the truth and how they stuff up footy in the state is worth it.We need those pricks to work with us instead of against us and I don’t think hoeing the boots in at every opportunity is working. Now if ya wont ease up, maybe we get Juddy to put his thumb into your pressure point. Bit like what happened to me last night when I got back from the Forth Pub. Ol’ Robyn wanted me to split the whisker but I couldn’t rise to the occasion. I suggested I take a quarter pill of Viagra. She said that would be good but why only a quarter? I said I only want it to lengthen enough so I don’t pee on my feet.Anyway you readers will be thinking is why am I back on the web after a long time sidelined.Well I’ll tell ya why. It’s cos the Robroys unders and seniors are in another final and as usual, we are red hot faves to add more silver to our overstocked trophy cabinet.Fair dinkum the Ulvey clubrooms is crowded with premiership flags and cups everywhere ya turn.

It is a bit like the Statewide Linemarking company ute. But instead of trophies and momentos of success, theirs is full of takeaway wrappers and empty gutrot coke cans. Big ressies coach Hoochie Turner, vice president Craig Brooks and T A P (The Annoying Pratt) fair dinkum go beserk at smoko time filling up their ample verandas with anything and everything unhealthy.Anyway, back to the real stuff on Saturday.First up Luttee’s boys will be keen to get us away on the right foot. He has a good team of goers and led by the champ Tyler Tyrell should get up.At 2pm, Troy’s boys will need to be on their game as those horrible Saints looked alright against the ol’ Swans in the prelim.Big Hubba, Sodes, Baldock Hayes, Tyson Gale, Stripper Marshall and King Hannah have to get on top and if they do then we should win. But we will also need SOC Chatty, the Big O, Craig McDermott, Snaggers Leedham, Slip Knott and SOTecka to put their shoulder to the wheel. But in closing I have to say commiserations to Lady Killer and Go Apps who have missed the boat after spending most of the year in the ones. But like the good blokes they are they will more than likely be up on the hill with the ol’ Rampant Robin knocking back the cans. GO ROBINS.

Keynon Ford ,the four time VFL - SNAFL premiership player has been offered the assistant coaching position at the Ulverstone Robins.Keynion at 6'4" & 100kg would be the icing on the cake for the Robins having kept the vast majority of their senior list from 2007.Living and working in Rosebery ,Keynon is reluctant to commit to any side untill he is convinced he can commit 100%.Burnie's Justin Plapp is also very keen to gain the big fellas services.

In other news,The Robins have gained the services of classy on baller Sam Lovatt from Devonport & Adam Derbyshire has resigned from the Tasmanian Devils to give Launceston a full season which is great for NTFL football.

BY CHLOE HOPE

11/09/2009 10:24:00 AM

SMITHTON star Scott Bryan is out of the NTFL grand final in a blow to the Saints' preparations. Bryan's injury ill-luck has continued after he pulled up sore yesterday from Wednesday night training. Smithton had hoped the star's strained ankle ligaments, suffered in the round 15 clash against East Devonport, would be better for this weekend's NTFL grand final against Ulverstone after he returned to training last week. Bryan polled three best-on- grounds in the Baldock Medal count last weekend and was instrumental in an early season win over Ulverstone as well as playing well for the NTFL against the NTFA. However, various injuries have kept him out for many weeks, having also dogged him last year. Smithton coach Steven Coombe is not ruling him out entirely and has named him as an emergency.

While Smithton named a considerably extended bench, at Ulverstone, Robins coach Troy Davies and his team slept like logs last night, comfortable in the knowledge of exactly who was and wasn't playing in the grand final. Shaun Knott proved his fitness and has been named on the wing, while Chris Haynes is the unlucky player to miss out. It was not a decision coach Troy Davies enjoyed, but he said Knott had been through two vigorous fitness tests on Tuesday and last night and was good to go. Meanwhile, Coombe was having the hair he has pulled out this week over his selection dilemmas replaced yesterday, ready for some more stressful decisions tonight at the final training session. He said that, apart from Bryan, the rest of his selection decisions would revolve around the weather and if he would be better off with bigger bodies.

Coombe needs to whittle down Isaac Korpershoek, Guy Kearnes, Vince Elliott, Nathan Drake, Martin Woodward, Michael Booth and Cameron Lockett to four players on the day. Alex Hursey is also an emergency. Isaac Korpershoek, Booth, Lockett and Woodward were also named in the 23-man reserves grand final side, so it looks like only one of them will be pulled into the senior side unless the weather is particularly wet tomorrow. Davies, on the other hand, was able to name every player who would line up on Saturday, and made just the one change, which he had already announced.

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HOW LONG RANDALL

TOUGH, courageous, skilled and quick best describe the likeable Randal Mee and while he is feeling the best he has in some

time, it may be a few weeks before the Oak Tree’s favourite son commences his 2007 season.

Always a crowd pleaser, Mee has once again injured his troublesome knee and will have scans early next week to determine if

and when he makes his comeback.With his bubbly personality and cool demeanour, Mee has been sadly missed on the track over

the break but is feeling well despite the setback.``I reckon I feel good but that is possibly because I have not been running around

too mnuch,’’he said.``I hope to get the all clear next week and then back into it, but realise getting a game will be tough.’’

Whilst Mee is missing, another regular in Jeremy Soden made a welcome return to the oval joining in handball drills and short kicking.

Now well into his recovery from a knee reconstruction, Soden is tipped to make his comeback in round five or six.

E: benannie1@bigpond.com

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THE CHAMP IS BACK……FINALLY

BY THE RAMPAGING ROBIN,

WELCOME back champ, welcome back to your rightful time slot of 2 o’clock.

For those of you who have been living under a log or in Outer Mongolia or even worse, Penguin, I am giving the old Rampant backslap to none other than one of the greatest blokes ever to pull on the red and black in Matthew Turner.

Hooch, is and has been a loyal and star performer for blokes like Little Thommo, Peter Templeton and others for years, and he makes his long overdue return to the ones today after a break of nine long years in the magoos.

The short-haired one with a head only a mother could love, still may not look the most fashionable player going round like Junior or Buzzard, but when the ball gets in his vicinity, its goodnight as it disappears into his dinner plate sized hands before heading over the white coated clown’s head in the sticks.

Now for those of you are like me, a fair dinkum Robin, seeing the Hooch man back makes you swell up with pride like Don Coopers gut after a big meal.

But I reckon the club should make the Dentist really make the most of the champ’s all round appeal and skills by starting him in the square when kicking to the town end and then rest him under the Oak tree when kicking to the sea end.

Hooch is the tree’s favourite player and would swell the fan numbers and bar profits if allowed to see out half the game on the ground then the other leaning on the bar with us fans.

He is good enough to run rings round most NTFL backs and more than good enough to drink most of the piss pots under the tree under the table.

Imagine when Hooch heads home after the game and the queen says to him, ``How did you go today darling?’’ Hoochie could answer , ``Booted 10 sausages and slammed down a dozen Carlton Draughts and a few Beams, all before three quarter time.’’

What a star he is and I reckon the old Dentist must have been considering him for ages now.

And why wouldn’t he? Big Matty is a bit like me and senior coach Hamish in that he is a student of the game. He knows everything about it and has forgotten more than blokes like sacked unders coach Don Cooper and a few of the Dentist’s cronies combined.

Gee, and to top it all off, he is a great bloke.

So get behind the Hooch today against the Two Blues, he should get his regulation dozen old molls, and later when he is getting chaired off, buy him a coldie like his boss Craig Brooks has too when the great one passes 6 goals each match.

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ULVERSTONE 5.8 8.13 15.19 19.20 (134)

PENGUIN 0.1 2.2 5.4 8.9 (57)

Goals – Ulverstone: M. Turner, D. Crawford 4, J. Skidmore 3, S. Conkie 2, J. Gale, D. Howard, T. McCrossen, H. Anderson, B. Murfet, J. Rootes, T. Auton. Penguin: B. Jackson, C. Carpenter 2, B. Fielding, J. Cotton, C. McDonald, P. Kelly. Best – Ulverstone: J. Gale, K. Hanson, T. McCrossen, N. Williams, J. Skidmore, D. Howard, D. Crawford, B. Murfet, T. Mee, M. Turner. Penguin: R. King, C. Carpenter, C. McDonald, P. Kelly.

Injuries – Nil.

Umpires – A. Mee, S. Blizzard.

Reports – Nil.

Crowd – 827 at Ulverstone.

BY MARK WILLIAMS,

ULVERSTONE coach Max Brown has blasted Central Coast rival Penguin after his side’s 19.20 (134) to 8.9 (57) win at Ulverstone yesterday saying the Two Blues had let themselves and their supporters down with an insipid display.

Brown had just watched his three-quarter strength team clinically dismantle the upbeat Penguin unit who had in the opening weeks of the season shown vast improvement on previous years.

``I thought with the build up they had after their strong win over the Northern Bombers and ours against Launceston last week, it would ensure a tight game,’’he said.

``But Penguin did not handle the pressure well and I thought their name players let their teammates down.’’

The crushing 77-point win in blustery and slippery conditions showed that Ulverstone with upwards of eight senior players still to return, are building another accomplished side that should mount serious challenges to the NTFL power’s Launceston and Devonport come September.

``We will get Nathan Howard, Darren Banham and possibly Ken Vanderfeen and Ross Hubble back for next week against Latrobe,’’Brown said.

``We also have some others in Jason King, Justin Rodman, Sam WhishWilson, Matty Allford, Nathan Applebee, Zane Good and Jayden Marshall still pressing for selection.’’

But despite the missing soldiers, Brown was highly impressed in his team and in particular newcomer Jarrod Gale’s best afield performance.

Two weeks ago Gale convincingly won the Light-Heavyweight boxing title of Tasmania in a skilled and brutal display and repeated it football-style in only his fifth NTFL game.

Whether on a wing or at half-forward, Gale dominated with his speed, play reading and skill leaving Penguin with one of many match-ups they could not quell.

Joining Gale in the slaughter were fellow midfield runners Trent McCrossen, Kurt Hanson, Justin Hays, Ben Murfet, Tim Mee and Jarrod Skidmore who all ran man-free for most of the game.

Upfront, Darren Crawford and new boy Matthew Turner helped themselves to goal kicking practice.

Crawford nailed four goals and gave off another five whilst Turner, in only his third senior game and first in nine years - kicked four goals and five behinds.

With their supply dry through the Penguin midfield, life took on a different outlook for star forward Justin Cotton.

Big ``Joey’s’’ dragon-like 12-goal performance against the Bombers seemed a distant memory as Robin dragon-slayer Nils Williams torched the big man in a classic defender’s display.

Bodying Cotton off the ball or punching it clear in marking duels, Williams played his best game for the season and showed the benefit of a long and hard preseason.

Joining the Robin bigman shoring up a mean defence was the quick Dwayne Howard and unsung teenager Hamish Anderson.

``I thought our young defence was superb and will only get better with each game,’’Brown said.

Leading at every change, Ulverstone clearly showed superior fitness, skill and football nous but new Penguin coach David Law remained upbeat.

``They are a good side but not the best we have played,’’he said.

``South Launceston have been clearly the best against us and we now know the improvement we have to show if we want to match the top sides and when we meet them again in 11 weeks.

``Today our delivery into our forwards was not good and too often we were led to the ball.’’

A sign of the frustration Penguin players showed came late in the game when battling ruckman Clinton Carpenter raised his arms in jubilation after kicking a 50metre goal – his side being 79-points down at that stage.

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E: haylach@y7mail.com

LOCHIE BACK ON TRACK

Great to see popular bigman Lochie Watson make a welcome if overdue return to the training track.

Big Lochie (all 203cm and 130kg of him), has had an interrupted preseason due to a new apprenticeship

as a boilermaker/welder and various trips back to King Island and other commitments.

But now the genial giant is back, and don’t the training crew of Geoff Wesley, Max Walmsley and Rex Bloom love it.

The training trio adore Watson who always seem to have a body part needing some TLC and attention.

This time in it is Lochie’s big right dinner-plate sized hand.

A trip to the Launceston Cup was where the injury occurred with a local pushing Lochie’s envelope a fraction

too far which caused the complaint.The clever ruckman’s hand is broken and will be out for four weeks

– so far no-one has an update on the Launceston local who may be pushing up daisies as a result.

CLUB GETS NEW WORLD CHAMPION.

WE all have heard the story surrounding world champion axeman David Foster who joined country club Sprent a decade ago for a game of footy and who could forget big Australian cricketer Tom Moody winning the World title for Haggis throwing a few years ago. Here at Ulverstone we also have a new world champion of a different sort in ruckman Nils Williams.Williams was at St Helens last weekend for the annual regatta and took time out with his mates to successfully defend their State Tug Of War title and to claim the vacant World Craypot Throwing contest as well.The ruckman hurled the craypot almost out of the throwing area to smash the existing record and clinch the title and then backed up with his right hand man in rover Kurt Hanson, Robin supporter’s Luke Rowlands, Mark Williams and Mike Thomas and big Latrobe wingman Josh Sutcliffe to take home the tugging contest.``We came down to defend the tug of war and then while I was waiting I went in the craypot one as well,’’ Williams said.``I finished second last year and was determined to go one better this year.’’For his efforts, Williams won $100 for each event.``The money was well spent,’’he said.``Three cartons of syrup and two of beer.’’

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MAX BROWN

9/09/2009 12:00:00 AM

WHAT a fantastic effort by the Smithton Football Club to have all three grades appearing in this Saturday`s NTFL grand final. This is reward for a club that has performed consistently over the entire season. Unfortunately for the Saints I am predicting they won't be returning home on Saturday night with any silverware as I believe Ulverstone, Wynyard and Ulverstone will be the premiers in the under 19s, reserves and senior grades respectively. The Saints' improved showing in the second week of the finals would give them some much-needed confidence after their poor showing in the second- semi final against the Robins.

Ulverstone loves playing at Latrobe and it possesses a hard-core group of talented, experienced finals campaigners in Soden, Howard, Hays, Marshall, Gale, Mee, Auton, Chatwin and Troy Davies that will ensure the rest of the team is not overawed by the occasion. Youngsters McDermott and Upton are genuinely exciting, Josh Walmsley is a key at either end of the ground and if Shaun Knott proves his fitness then the Robins look well-equipped. Evergreen Lukey Marshall looms as a pivotal player for the red and black. He is dangerous in the forward line but I would start him at centre-half back to add that bit of poise and stability to the defence, particularly at the start of the game.

For the Saints to issue a real challenge they have to structure their team to be more potent in attack. While full forward Medwin has won the goal-kicking, his returns in the big games have not been great. Jarrod Watling is a hard-running ball magnet and must be watched by the Robins. I believe the Saints don't use the classy Scott Blizzard in the right manner. Rather than have him primarily as a half-back flanker he should be played in the mid-field where his creativeness will really hurt the opposition. The biggest question leading up to the game will be whether the Saints are prepared to play their best player Scott Bryan, who has missed many weeks due to an ankle injury.

Will they fall for the trap of playing an injured player or will they take the attitude that desperate situations require desperate actions? This is all part of the intrigue that makes grand final week so special.

Robins' 1955 final a history-maker

FOOTBALL

20/05/2009 4:00:00 AM

IN 1955, the North-West became the dominant force in Tasmanian football, thanks to Ulverstone.

Ulverstone's 1955 state premiership win over Longford was yesterday announced as the fifth memorable game to be inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.

Coached by the legendary Arthur Hodgson, and sporting such players as GB "Paddy" Martin, Jock French, Garth Smith and Bruce Pearson, the Robins presided over the beginning of an outstanding era for Coastal football.

It was only the second year the NWFU had been part of the state premiership title against the North and the South, and the dominant Ulverstone side had demolished a seemingly unbeatable Newtown team in the semi-final to reach the Coast's first title play-off.

The hearts of Coastal footy fans were with the Robins when they went to York Park for the title battle, and 10,000 spectators watched the big win.

Ulverstone was captain- coached by former Queenstown boy Arthur Hodgson, who had returned from a highly successful stint in the VFL with Carlton, and Longford was also coached by an ex-Carlton champion in ruckman Fred Davies.

The first test for Longford was to counter the brilliant running play of Hodgson on the expanses of York Park's wing.

They had just the man for the job in Gus O'Brien, who nullified the "Black Prince" early.

However, Longford could not curtail the rest of the Ulverstone mosquito fleet who were dominant in the first half of the game.

The third term was the pivotal period of the game.

Longford twice drew even on the scoreboard, but Ulverstone prevailed with fitness and pace the key.

The official induction of the game will be on July 3 at the Hall of Fame gala function at Wrest Point Casino.

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e: applebee.stuart@yahoo.com.au

In a super coup, the Robins are gaining the services of Mark Harris for season 2008,Mark the 23 yr old son of Ulvey ex pats ,Peter "Stan" & Vicky Harris has decided to return to have a change of scenery in Tassie. Mark spent most of his early years here.Mark is a 6ft athletic,mobile player and will create a big headache for the opposition,Mark represented QLD in Under 16's,18's and the Seniors on 3 occasions, he also played 92 games for the Broadboach Club in the AFLQ competiton.He will start work as a Junior Development Officer with the AFL based at Ulverstone next Monday.Mark trained this week with the boys and impressed the Fox. Max (in his Happy days Mode) said "He looked really neato and trained just swell" ,

E: akka32@bigpond.net.au

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RAMPANT ROBIN WATCHES ULVERSTONE HAMMER PENGUIN

ONE thing you can never accuse those Two Blue boys and their feral supporters from 11 kms west is not having a dip when things get tough.

Boy, whilst we smashed em from the first ball up, they didn’t give in despite the inequality of the matchup, fair dinkum it was like putting the super unfit Don Cooper up against the super fit Chris Judd in a series of physical tests.

Imagine Cooper, with his pregnant look taking on Judd in a 100 metre sprint. Judd would stop the clock in about 11 seconds while the timekeepers would time Donny with a calendar.

Anyway Donny would seriously think he has done more in footy than Judd with his high school premierships and combined game coaching jobs.

Anyway, us spectators at the Oak had a ball as usual and with our favorite son Hoochie in the team, we cheered his and the team’s every touch and specially Hooch’s four great sausage rolls.

Some of the Penguin yobbs came up for a few lagers but got snakey watching the scoreboard get away from them. They tried to get into us a bit about our side having so many imports, but when they realised that we had snagged McCrossen, Hanson and Dazza from their arch enemy, the puritanical Devonport – they lightened up a bit as well. In the end they too agreed we were too good.

Hooch’s mates from the ressies were here in force trying to fill his shoes in the drinking stakes - but they failed miserably. Just like the Two Blue defenders trying to curb the NTFL’s version of Gary Ablett senior.

Junior, junior Rodman – all 37 kilo of him, set the pace early and he was getting a fair bit of heat from Rudy Mee, third last man standing Hubble, Jade Hughes and the world’s best opener apart from Matty Hayden in Christian Cook. But late in the game the boys started to slow a bit due to the big night ahead at the clubrooms.

But in Hooch’s absence to keep the pace on, I stepped in as usual and kept old grumpy flat out behind the bar.

I started on Melbourne Bitter then onto Carlton Draught, had a few Boags just to give myself some diahorrea to make some room for a few syrups to finish off.

Out on the grass, Jack shaped up to them and they shipped out, he was starring on a wing and the usual cronies of McCrossen, Kurt Anderson, Skiddy, Crawf and Japanese Mel were hogging the spoils like the Dentist and Cooper at a free pizza night.

Ol’ superboot Joey Cotton was struggling with SOBi hammering him at every opportunity and without the goals coming, there stats man went to sleep.

Good to also see Ex-dribbler Ben getting a few touches as I reckon the Dentist has him in the gun waiting for him to fall over. Dribbles is a different bloke; good at any sport and most of the time pretty switched on. But those of you who know him well realise he is not an angel. Just ask him about the time he burnt Bill Williams kitchen down when full of syrup.

Little Thommo is a great supporter of Ben and likes to mother him and the rest of his boys like an old plover. Thommo and Gazza Howard are the real coaches at the club and make the Dentist look good. Boy, the Dentist even got the legend, Wayne Wing in to rev up the boys before the Penguin game.

Thommo and Barney though stick by their blokes and would go to war for them.

Imagine the Dentist beside you in the trenches- gee when you copped one in the shoulder, the Dentist would disappear quicker than a barrel of Kentucky Fried at Lachie Watson’s dinner table.

Well here are my votes for the Penguin belting –

3: Jack ``Tyson’’ Gale

2: McCrossen, Skiddy, SOBi, Kurt Anderson.

1: SuperHooch, Senior coach Hamish, Justin Beam Hays, Dribbler Ben, Japanese Mel, Les Toombs and Tim Auton.

BY CHLOE HOPE

9/09/2009 12:00:00 AM

NTFL grand final previews Page 47 SMITHTON has a tiny edge over Ulverstone when they meet in the NTFL grand final on Saturday. The scoreline in the only other NTFL grand final they've met in. It was 1991 and Darren Denneman's Saints were trailing at half time against Max Brown's powerhouse Robins. The players, coaches and 5000 spectators were used to Ulverstone winning flags. But then Smithton stood tall, slammed on 13 goals in the second half and romped to one of the great runaway victories in NTFL history.

Denneman, who now works for AFL NSW/ ACT, said his memory of the victory is the community support before grand final day and after the win. "The victory was a celebration of all good things about that community," he said. To him it seems like so long ago, but he keeps tabs on the team and said it was good to see people like Steven Coombe involved as coach after he had played himself during Denneman's era. A key moment from that 1991 grand final also sticks in Brown's mind. But it's a very different memory. "We were in a winning position and I remember Gavin Coombe taking a great mark (in the goal square) in the second half and it turned the game." Coombe kicked a goal and the tide turned.

Denneman agreed it was a courageous and inspirational act as Coombe took a diving mark in front of Brett Bricknell who was set for an uncontested mark on the goal-line. Brown said the Saints that season had an excellent spine with Denneman, Barry Newman and Scott Knight big targets in defence and attack. He also recalled several Robins had early trips to the Burnie hospital that day.

Brown is confident the Robins can pull off a win this year. "They've recorded two good wins against Smithton not at Smithton this year ... they're peaking at the right time. "Ulverstone's finals experience will come to the fore and it is more potent in attack - has more forward line options." Smithton assistant coach and former player Jeff Triffett said the Saints would combat that with run and overall fitness. "Our run with the ball and support of the ball carrier will win the day," he said.

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ULVERSTONE 3.7 11.11 16.12 21.16 (142)

BURNIE DOCKERS 4.3 7.5 11.10 15.11 (101)

Goals – Ulverstone: D. Banham 6, D. Crawford 4, N. Applebee, J. Rodman 2, T. Mee, N. Williams, J. Hays, J. Chatwyn, B. Johnson, B. Murfet, B. Hennessey. Burnie: N. McKenna 3, A. Saville, A. Hering, T. Mihocek, B. Archer 2, B. Davis, M. Smith, K. Munday, M. Stewart.