The Heart of it: A distinctly Tasmanian conversation

Ben Brown

Long locks, long limbs, long run ups.. Ben Brown was one of the most recognisable figures in AFL football during a 175-game, 360-goal career that culminated in a premiership with Melbourne in 2021. His rise to the AFL as a ‘mature-ager' saw him follow in the footsteps of his uncle, Collingwood premiership player James Manson, but it was his late grandfather, Gentleman Jim Manson, he thought of most often during his football career. Manson died in traumatic circumstances and would never see his grandson play, but his influence had been profound. 

Alex Pearce

If you peruse the honour boards of Ulverstone sporting clubs, there’s every chance you’ll find the surname Pearce – more than once. And if you look at the honour roll of the Fremantle Football Club, you’ll find the name there too, under the title of captain. Alex Pearce was somewhat of a late bloomer when it came to football but despite an inordinate number of serious injuries, Pearce has emerged as one of AFL’s finest and most respected defenders and leaders. 

Colin Robertson

The only Tasmanian to win the coveted Norm Smith Medal, Colin Robertson, grew up on a dairy and potato farm in the small north west town of Yolla. The paddocks, with tree limbs for goals posts, were Robertson’s equivalent of the MCG and where he honed his skills before starring with Wynard in two premierships. Multiple VFL clubs came calling, but the dashing wingman opted for emerging Hawthorn and quickly became a key member of the side that rose to prominence in the 1980’s. Robertson is best remembered for his best-on-ground performance in the 1983 Grand Final, a match in which he knocked out Essendon star Tim Watson in an infamous incident that led to threats on his life. 

Paul Williams

A member of the Tasmanian Team of the Century, Paul Williams was drafted to Collingwood as a schoolboy and after a controversial move to the Sydney Swans in 2001, played in an AFL premiership in his 294th game. The Williams story has many fascinating chapters. From family run pubs, fish and chip shops and Tasmanian state league football, to the tragedy of losing the man he refers to as his on-field minder, Magpie teammate Darren Millane. He played on Nicky Winmar the day he famously lifted his jumper pointing to his skin at Victoria Park, and Williams currently sits on the AFL tribunal, where he wants to see change.

Ellyse Gamble

A key pillar in Essendon’s quest for an AFLW premiership, Wynyard’s Ellyse Gamble has enjoyed the highs and lows of football and of life since being drafted while on an east coast bushwalk in 2017. Gamble ran out for the Western Bulldogs in their first ever AFLW game, but injury robbed her of the chance to play in a premiership the following year. Last season, she played in round one just days after the devastating loss of her father.

Laura McBain

Laura McBain was a young mother when she packed up her belongings and moved from Sydney to the northern Tasmanian town of Exeter. After a challenging start to her new life in Australia's smallest state, McBain would rise from humble beginnings to become one of the country's most successful businesswomen. Now, a rusted-on Tasmanian, McBain is a key member of the Tasmania Football Club’s inaugural board and playing a crucial role in laying the foundations for the sustained success of the Devils.

Doug Barwick

The Launceston suburb of Waverley might be best known for its woolen mill, but it can also lay claim to a Collingwood premiership star. Doug Barwick was recruited to Fitzroy after winning a best and fairest with East Launceston in 1983. A powerfully built player with a prodigious kick, Barwick's switch to Collingwood in 1988 proved life changing. He kicked the match-sealing goal in Collingwood's drought breaking premiership in 1990 and also vice captained Tasmania to a famous State of Origin win over Victoria.

Brent Crosswell

There have been few more brilliant or flamboyant footballers than Campbell Town’s Brent Crosswell, who won four VFL premierships with Carlton and North Melbourne. 
An extreme talent possessing skill, speed and power, Crosswell was a schoolboy prodigy, whose feats in big games were legendary. 
But he was also highly temperamental and, by his own admission, indifferent to the game. This was a constant source of friction between the star player and his legendary coach, the late Ron Barassi, with whom he shared a complex, often volatile relationship. 

Zane Littlejohn

A former Tasmanian player who became a state league senior coach at the age of 24, Zane Littlejohn quickly established his credentials winning back-to-back premierships with North Launceston. 
After being lured to the Brisbane Lions, where he worked under fellow Tasmanian Chris Fagan, Littlejohn is now the senior coach of VFL club Box Hill and working as a development coach at highflying Hawthorn. 
The north west coast product isn’t shy about his aspirations to become a senior AFL coach in the future and is watching the build of the Tasmania Football Club with great interest. 

Nicole Bresnehan

A champion swimmer, who once shared the pool with Olympic golden girl Ariarne Titmus, Nicole Bresnahan only started playing football as a 19-year old. Just a couple of years later she was drafted by North Melbourne and selected to play in the Kangaroos’ first ever AFLW match. As she readies for her 50th game with the club, Bresnehan is also working full time for AFL Tasmania, helping to develop the state’s next batch of elite players.