By: BRETT STUBBS
``Certainly at the 16s this year they were saying, `Gee Tassie, aren't they well prepared and got some good strong numbers coming through?'''
AFL Tasmania chairman Dominic Baker said the state was just starting to lift its standing.
``Probably as a state we lost more respect 10 years ago when the statewide league folded. We are winning respect now by making courageous decisions ensuring we are going to build a robust, strong competition that will give this state back some integrity,'' Baker said.
Yesterday's deadline for the 10 invited State League clubs to sign their license agreement passed without one club's signature, but Baker said all this demonstrated was the trust between the clubs and AFL Tasmania.
``The signature on the paper is not as necessary as it might have been a few months ago,'' Baker said.
``We are so entrenched with working with the 10 clubs that to enforce a deadline on a signature would be draconian.
``Realistically we are working hand in glove with these guys.
``The intent of the license agreement is to demonstrate the clubs are responsible for developing the game in their area and AFL Tasmania is responsible for ensuring they are funded correctly to do it.''
AFL Tasmania board member, AFLPA chief executive and former Richmond player Brendon Gale said the AFL's proposal for holding the international rules series two out of every three years did open the door for a return to State of Origin in that off year.
``Clearly I would love to see Tassie represented in its own right,'' Gale said.
``I would love to see the [Tassie State of Origin] jumper, I think it is the best jumper in state footy.
``From a logistical point of view, it is going to be very difficult when you take into account the timing, recovery, before, during or after the season so do you look at the Allies or the Dream Team? For those guys involved, they really enjoyed it.''
Last Modified on 09/12/2008 10:06