Upon the revelation North Melbourne was the first Victorian footy club to visit Tasmania more than 130 years ago, kangaroos.com.au has dug up some more interesting items from the archives relating to its relationship with the apple isle.

This photo shows the 1949 North side in Hobart during a club trip.

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With former club president Frank Trainor leading the way, the touring party included Team of the Century members Les Foote (captain), Ted Jarrard, and Jock Spencer while coach Wally Carter is seen standing proudly in the front row.

The side spent 13-days in Tasmania and departed just two days after the VFL Grand Final of that year which was played between Essendon and Carlton. The Bombers won by 73-points.

It wasn’t just sight-seeing in Hobart, with a photo of the North team taken on the football field in full uniform suggesting the boys had played a match. However, investigations have so far hit a dead end with those on the trip unable to recall even being there.

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Past players Kevin Dynon (vice-captain), Keith McKenzie and Jim Malone were contacted by kangaroos.com.au but couldn’t shed any light on what the trip was about or whether a game was actually played. McKenzie said he felt it was an end of season trip of some description but couldn’t say why they were photographed in uniform while Dynon could only remember being in Hobart two-years earlier for the Interstate Carnival.

Recently, the club signed a new deal to play up to two games a year at Bellerive Oval from 2012 and beyond.

North Melbourne (as Hotham FC) was the first Victorian team to visit Tasmania, playing games in Launceston and Hobart in early July 1881.

If you have more information about the 1949 trip please email info@kangaroos.com.au.