Devonport Football Club
Encyclopedia
Devonport Football Club is an Australian rules football
club based in Devonport, Tasmania
. The club previously competed in the Northern Tasmanian Football League
but from 2009 it joined the newly reformed Tasmanian State League
.
In 2003, however, the Magpies surged up the ladder to qualify for the finals, while the next year they went within one game – albeit a game in which they were conclusively vanquished by Burnie – of a flag. The 2005 season brought another grand final appearance, and another loss to Burnie, albeit this time by the comparatively more respectable margin of just 17 points. Then, in 2006, hopes that it might be third time lucky were conclusively dashed on grand final day by a much more talented and cohesive Launceston side, which ultimately won with ease by 57 points. The 2007 season brought a marginal decline in fortunes as the Magpies, having topped the ladder prior to the finals, bowed out of flag contention in straight sets after defeats by eventual premiers Launceston in the second semi final, and Ulverstone in the preliminary final. Kurt Heazlewood's Baldock Medal victory as the competition's best and fairest
player provided a small measure of consolation.
, but there was to be no fairytale as the Coastal Magpies were swept aside by the reigning premier by 57 points.
's CEO Scott Wade announcing that the club had fourteen days to prove to the sport's governing body that they were able to put plans in place to reduce the debt or they would face immediate expulsion from the Tasmanian State League
for poor financial management. The NTFL stating that they would not let Devonport Football Club back into their competition should this eventuate and cross-town rival East Devonport refusing to enter into amalgamation talks with the club would most likely see the club go into extinction. The club is no stranger to financial turmoil, having been in trouble for most of the previous twenty years stemming back to their appointment of former Hawthorn legend Peter Knights as senior coach in 1990. By 1998 Devonport were close to extinction with a debt of $709,067 and were only saved by an approximately $246,000 loan from the Devonport Council in order to pay off some of their creditors. Urban legend amongst football writers and punters on the North West Coast was that the club were well known to have been in almost a quarter of a million dollars debt when they joined the TSL in late 2008, but the full extent of the financial problems were not known by AFL Tasmania
until the sport's governing body appointed an independent administrator to oversee the running of the club in late 2010 whereby the extent of the financial problems were fully disclosed as Devonport Council also called in their loan to the club at the same time. After a change of board of directors, the club were granted donations of approximately $200,000 by a number of North Western businessmen and other supporters in the community and as such, were granted permission to remain a member of the Tasmanian State League.
1988
2010
Nil.
1914, 1915, 1925, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1981
Nil.
2004, 2005, 2006
4,046 – Devonport v Burnie Hawks – 25 April 1989 at Devonport Oval
17,878 – Devonport v Glenorchy
– 1988 TFL Grand Final at North Hobart Oval
Not available
6,123 – Clarence
v Devonport – 18 September 2010 at Bellerive Oval
37.9 (231) v Launceston
10.6 (66) – 21 July 1996 at Devonport Oval
14.4 (88) v New Norfolk
– 16 April 1988 at Devonport Oval
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club based in Devonport, Tasmania
Devonport, Tasmania
-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...
. The club previously competed in the Northern Tasmanian Football League
Northern Tasmanian Football League
The Northern Tasmanian Football League is an Australian rules football competition in northern Tasmania.-History:The Northern Tasmanian Football League was founded in 1987 to replace the former Northern Tasmanian Football Association - no relation to the current NTFA - and the North Western...
but from 2009 it joined the newly reformed Tasmanian State League
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
.
Devonport joins the Northern Tasmanian Football League
The collapse of statewide football in late 2000 saw Devonport revert to a regional competition, in this case the NTFL, but with only 9 wins from 20 matches for the year the club finished 8th (out of 12), a result it failed to improve on in 2002.In 2003, however, the Magpies surged up the ladder to qualify for the finals, while the next year they went within one game – albeit a game in which they were conclusively vanquished by Burnie – of a flag. The 2005 season brought another grand final appearance, and another loss to Burnie, albeit this time by the comparatively more respectable margin of just 17 points. Then, in 2006, hopes that it might be third time lucky were conclusively dashed on grand final day by a much more talented and cohesive Launceston side, which ultimately won with ease by 57 points. The 2007 season brought a marginal decline in fortunes as the Magpies, having topped the ladder prior to the finals, bowed out of flag contention in straight sets after defeats by eventual premiers Launceston in the second semi final, and Ulverstone in the preliminary final. Kurt Heazlewood's Baldock Medal victory as the competition's best and fairest
Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
player provided a small measure of consolation.
Devonport joins the Tasmanian State League
The Devonport Football Club accepted an invitation to join the new Tasmanian State League in 2009. After a meeting of club members, delegates and supporters, the club unanimously voted to leave the NTFL and join the new league. The club began their foray back into Statewide football with distinction in their first two seasons, with a first semi final loss to eventual premier Clarence in 2009 and a surprise Grand Final appearance the following season, again meeting Clarence at Bellerive OvalBellerive Oval
Bellerive Oval, also known as its sponsored name Blundstone Arena, is primarily a cricket and Australian Rules Football ground located in Bellerive, City of Clarence, on the eastern shore of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia...
, but there was to be no fairytale as the Coastal Magpies were swept aside by the reigning premier by 57 points.
Financial ruin
Just three months after competing in a Grand Final, financial disaster was to beset the club, on 10 December 2010 the Devonport Football Club was to announce that they were facing a debt of $507,525 and faced impending collapse should a white knight not be found. AFL TasmaniaAFL Tasmania
AFL Tasmania is the governing body for Australian rules football in Tasmania.The organisation is responsible for game development in the state. The organisation recently became affiliated with the Australian Football League and was formerly known as Football Tasmania.The body is responsible for...
's CEO Scott Wade announcing that the club had fourteen days to prove to the sport's governing body that they were able to put plans in place to reduce the debt or they would face immediate expulsion from the Tasmanian State League
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
for poor financial management. The NTFL stating that they would not let Devonport Football Club back into their competition should this eventuate and cross-town rival East Devonport refusing to enter into amalgamation talks with the club would most likely see the club go into extinction. The club is no stranger to financial turmoil, having been in trouble for most of the previous twenty years stemming back to their appointment of former Hawthorn legend Peter Knights as senior coach in 1990. By 1998 Devonport were close to extinction with a debt of $709,067 and were only saved by an approximately $246,000 loan from the Devonport Council in order to pay off some of their creditors. Urban legend amongst football writers and punters on the North West Coast was that the club were well known to have been in almost a quarter of a million dollars debt when they joined the TSL in late 2008, but the full extent of the financial problems were not known by AFL Tasmania
AFL Tasmania
AFL Tasmania is the governing body for Australian rules football in Tasmania.The organisation is responsible for game development in the state. The organisation recently became affiliated with the Australian Football League and was formerly known as Football Tasmania.The body is responsible for...
until the sport's governing body appointed an independent administrator to oversee the running of the club in late 2010 whereby the extent of the financial problems were fully disclosed as Devonport Council also called in their loan to the club at the same time. After a change of board of directors, the club were granted donations of approximately $200,000 by a number of North Western businessmen and other supporters in the community and as such, were granted permission to remain a member of the Tasmanian State League.
Season 2011
After being runners up to Clarence in the State League Final in 2010, there was a exodus of players at club while the coaching panel was being decided for 2011. Errol Bourn was appointed head coach after a long process but resigned due to personal reasons leaving the Magpies without a coach and players leaving. The Board then appointed former Ulverstone Under 19 Premiership Winning Coach Glen Lutwyche to the role. Due to the dire financial state of the club the board resigned in December following revelations the club was more than $500,000 in debt, with a $103,000 rescue package to meet immediate liabilities contingent on the majority of the board resigning, apart from directors Shane Yates, Shane Lee and Leon Perry. On the 4th of February, a special general meeting was called to introduce the new directors to the members and playing group. The new directors endorsed include multiple world champion woodchopper David Foster, former assistant coach Mark Fagan, former East Devonport Football Club president Peter Mitchell, former players Pat Fagan and Barry Duckett, supporter Peter McConnon, and marketing consultant Trudi Jones. Shane Yates was confirmed as the new president at this meeting. The playing group was left battered by the player exodus which included star midfielder Kurt Heazlewood moving to WA for work and forward Ben Reynolds signing at Glenorchy. The club has started to put back together there playing list by signing Ulverstone pair Justin Rodman and Tim Mee.Stadiums, achievements and club records
- Devonport OvalDevonport OvalDevonport Oval is an Australian rules football, cricket and athletics stadium in Devonport, Tasmania.It is the home stadium for the Devonport Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and for the Devonport Cricket Club in the NWTCA competition....
– 1937–present.
- Club formed – 6 March 1890
- Colours – Black and white.
- Emblem – Magpies (Blues from 1987–1996 and Power from 1997–2000)
- TFL Statewide League/TSL premierships
1988
1988 TFL Statewide League Season
The 1988 TFL Statewide League premiership season was an Australian rules football competition, staged across Tasmania, Australia over eighteen roster rounds and six finals series matches between 2 April and 17 September 1988....
- TFL Statewide League/TSL runners-up
2010
2010 TSL season
The 2010 AFL Tasmania TSL premiership season was an Australian Rules Football competition staged across Tasmania, Australian over eighteen roster rounds and nine finals series matches between 2 April and 18 September 2010....
- State premierships
Nil.
- NWFU premierships
1914, 1915, 1925, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1981
- Northern Tasmanian Football League premierships
Nil.
- Northern Tasmanian Football League runners-up
2004, 2005, 2006
- William Leitch Medallists
- 1987 – David CodeDavid CodeDavid Code is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the Victorian Football League .An Old Haileyburian, Code spent just one season at Melbourne. He later played with Devonport in the TFL Statewide League and won the 1987 William Leitch Medal and was a member of their...
- 1997 – Fabian Carelli
- 1998 – Wayne WeidemannWayne WeidemannWayne Weidemann is an Australian rules football coach and former player. He is most notable for his career in the Australian Football League with the Adelaide Crows....
- 1987 – David Code
- Tassie Medallists
- 2009 – Kurt Heazlewood
- Darrel Baldock Medallists
- 2007 – Kurt Heazlewood
- Cheel Medallists (NWFU best and fairest player from 1923–1929)
- 1925 – W. Berryman
- Royal Medallists (NWFU East best and fairest player in 1930)
- 1930 – W. Berryman
- Wander Medallists (NWFU best and fairest player from 1948–1986)
- 1974 – C. Rheinberger
- 1976 – K. Coates
- 1978 – J. Prentice
- Lefroy Medal (Best on ground for Tasmania in representative games)
- 2010 – Ben Reynolds
- TFL Statewide League leading goalkicker
- 1988 – Chris Reynolds (111)
- 1998 – Ken Rainsford (94)
- NTFL leading goalkickers
- 2002 – Matthew Langmaid (88)
- 2003 – Matthew Langmaid (88)
- 2007 – Phillip Crowden (111)
- NWFU leading goalkickers
- 1914 – G. Foley (28)
- 1924 – P. Martyn (34)
- 1936 – A. Cooke (77)
- Record home roster match attendance – TFL Statewide League
4,046 – Devonport v Burnie Hawks – 25 April 1989 at Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval is an Australian rules football, cricket and athletics stadium in Devonport, Tasmania.It is the home stadium for the Devonport Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and for the Devonport Cricket Club in the NWTCA competition....
- Record finals attendance – TFL Statewide League
17,878 – Devonport v Glenorchy
Glenorchy Football Club
The Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:...
– 1988 TFL Grand Final at North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania, used for Australian rules football.-History:North Hobart Oval started its existence as Hobart Town's brickfields in 1844 before becoming a convict women's housing site, an immigration depot and an invalid persons' depot before closing...
- Record home attendance – Tasmanian State League
Not available
- Record finals attendance – Tasmanian State League
6,123 – Clarence
Clarence Football Club
The Clarence Football Club, nicknamed the Kangaroos , is an Australian rules football club playing in the Tasmanian State League, based in Bellerive, Tasmania.Before 1903, they existed as Bellerive Football Club....
v Devonport – 18 September 2010 at Bellerive Oval
Bellerive Oval
Bellerive Oval, also known as its sponsored name Blundstone Arena, is primarily a cricket and Australian Rules Football ground located in Bellerive, City of Clarence, on the eastern shore of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia...
- Club record score
37.9 (231) v Launceston
Launceston Football Club
The Launceston Football Club is an Australian rules football club, located in the West Tamar suburb of Riverside, seven kilometres north of the Launceston CBD and currently play in the Tasmanian State League in Tasmania, Australia.-History:...
10.6 (66) – 21 July 1996 at Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval is an Australian rules football, cricket and athletics stadium in Devonport, Tasmania.It is the home stadium for the Devonport Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and for the Devonport Cricket Club in the NWTCA competition....
- Club record quarter
14.4 (88) v New Norfolk
New Norfolk Eagles
The New Norfolk District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Southern Football League, in Tasmania, Australia.-Origins:Entry to Southern District Football Assoc* 1934Entry to TANFL/TFL* 1947...
– 16 April 1988 at Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval
Devonport Oval is an Australian rules football, cricket and athletics stadium in Devonport, Tasmania.It is the home stadium for the Devonport Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and for the Devonport Cricket Club in the NWTCA competition....
- Club record games holder
- 242 – Ricky Brown
Past senior coaches
-
- 1890 – J. Jones
- 1891 – R. Langworthy
- 1892–1899 – T. Wingrove
- 1900 – Club in recess
- 1901–1905 – J. Savage
- 1906–1908 – S. Ashley
- 1909–1910 – Unknown
- 1911 – W. Pearce
- 1912 – A. Knox
- 1913 – A. Hennigan
- 1914 – C. Hardstaff
- 1915 – E. Hatton
- 1916–1919 – Break due to World War I
- 1920 – T. Lindley
- 1921 – A. E. Hatton
- 1922 – J. Foley
- 1923 – J. Heaney
- 1924–1926 – Percy MartynPercy MartynPercy J. Martyn was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda, Richmond and Essendon in the Victorian Football League ....
- 1927 – J. Dunn
- 1928 – J. Brown
- 1929 – A. Soden
- 1930 – Bill BerrymanBill BerrymanWilliam "Bill" Berryman was an Australian rules footballer who played for South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1920s....
- 1931 – R. Mather
- 1931–1935 – H. Baker
- 1936 – C. A. Eyles
- 1936 – M. Baker
- 1937 – G. Bourke
- 1937 – A. Brown
- 1938–1939 – G. Cole
- 1940 – C. Milburne
- 1941–1944 – Break due to World War II
- 1945 – P. Schmidt
- 1946 – J. O'Keefe
- 1947 – J. Jordan
- 1948 – H. Murray
- 1949 – A. Hutton
- 1950–1951 – N. Richardson
- 1952–1953 – R. Witzerman
- 1954 – A. Deaton
- 1955 – R. Cullen
- 1956 – N. Gelavis
- 1957–1958 – R. Jobson
- 1959–1963 – N. Conlon
- 1964–1965 – J. Stokes
- 1965–1967 – Peter LyonPeter LyonPeter Lyon is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League during the 1960s....
- 1968–1969 – T. McKay
- 1970–1971 – Geoff MartinGeoffrey Martin (footballer)Geoffrey Bernard "Paddy" Martin is a former Australian rules footballer who played in Tasmania with Launceston, Sandy Bay, Ulverstone and Burnie. He is a half back flanker in Launceston's official 'Team of the Century' and in 2005 was inducted into Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame as a coaching...
- 1972–1973 – R. Crosby
- 1974 – C. Hutchins
- 1975–1976 – Bob WithersBob WithersRobert 'Bob' Withers is a former Australian rules footballer who played in Tasmania and for Port Melbourne, noted for his selection in the 1961 All-Australian team....
- 1976 – G. A. Green
- 1977 – J. Bates
- 1978 – J. Prentice
- 1979–1984 – N. Johnson
- 1985 – B. S. Lane
- 1986 – Mark WilliamsMark Williams (Australian footballer, born 1957)Mark E. Williams is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne and Footscray in the Victorian Football League ....
- 1987–1989 – R. Crosby
- 1990–1993 – Peter KnightsPeter KnightsPeter Knights is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. He is widely regarded as one of the finest centre half-backs to have played the game, despite suffering numerous injuries...
- 1994–1996 – Andy Goodwin
- 1997–1998 – M. Brown
- 1999 – R. Spencer
- 2000–2007 – D. Perry
- 2008 – S. Reissig
- 2009–2010 – E. Bourn
- 2010–present – G. Lutwyche
Wilkinson Medal
Devonport's best and fairest award from 2001 onwards-
- 2001 – M. Langmaid
- 2002 – M. Langmaid
- 2003 – M. Lowe
- 2004 – T. Haley
- 2005 – T. McCrossen
- 2006 – M. Langmaid
- 2007 – K. Heazlewood
- 2008 – K. Heazlewood
- 2009 – C. Hardy
- 2010 – K. Heazlewood
VFL/AFL players
Notable players that went on the play in the VFL/AFL:- Grant BirchallGrant BirchallGrant Birchall is an Australian rules football player for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League.Birchall had an exceptional first season in 2006 with the Hawthorn, playing 16 games out of a possible 22...
- Brady RawlingsBrady RawlingsBrady Rawlings is a former Australian rules footballer who played 245 games for the Kangaroos.He is the younger brother of former AFL footballer, and Richmond 2009 caretaker coach, Jade. Rawlings was recruited to the Kangaroos in the 1998 AFL Draft, with the 15th selection...
- Jade RawlingsJade RawlingsJade Rawlings was the caretaker coach of the Richmond Tigers Football Club, and is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the AFL with the Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and the North Melbourne Football Clubs....
- Matthew RichardsonMatthew Richardson (Australian rules footballer)Matthew "Richo" Richardson , is a retired professional Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Australian Football League...
- Ben HarrisonBen Harrison (Australian footballer)Ben Harrison is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League ....
- Dion ScottDion ScottDion Scott is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans, Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League during the 1990s....
' onMouseout='HidePop("83471")' href="/topics/Brisbane_Bears">Brisbane BearsBrisbane BearsThe Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
) - Matthew FebeyMatthew FebeyMatthew Febey is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the Australian Football League during the 1990s....
- Steven FebeySteven FebeySteven Febey in Devonport is a former Australian rules football player for the Melbourne Football Club. He is the twin brother of Matthew Febey who he played beside for most of his career....