New-look clubs set to excite in 2013

FOOTBALL Federation Tasmania has announced the 20-man squads for each V-League team ahead of the season start in March.

Reigning Northern Premier League champions Northern Rangers have recruited Ryan McCarragher, Nick Lanau-Atkinson and Mark Cristy from Riverside Olympic and Ayden Rigby has joined from Launceston United.

The club has lost the attacking skills of Mark Ambrose and Chris Hunt but has picked up British export Shane Brassington while talented midfielder Des Schipper, an inaugural member of the Rangers, has come out of retirement to play.

Launceston City has recruited heavily from Launceston United with its captain Nathan Bartlett, striker Saeed Bin Sumaida, D'Zeffrey Bart, Will Egan, Pat Farrell, J. Sean Kollie, Alex Smith and Mitchell Hawksley in the squad.

Devonport City has pulled in most of the talent on the North- West with new players, Brayden Mann, Joel Stone, Ben Foote and Adrian Foote joining from Ulverstone, Casey Eaves and Brodie Denehey from Somerset and Bobby Eaves from South Hobart.

Coach Chris McKenna said the new players had fitted in brilliantly with the original squad.

"I've mentioned it a few times how well they've fitted in," McKenna said.

"It's been a seamless transition. They guys that have come in, their attitudes have been first class."

Federation competitions manager George Kalis said the standard of the league would be high with many interstate and overseas players joining the state's home-grown talent.

"Looking at the squad lists, there is a good blend of emerging players, experienced players and newcomers," Kalis said. "Many overseas semi- professional players are keen to use their football to travel and we hope that this trend of overseas players will add interest to the league."

Several of the V-League teams will play in the preseason Steve Hudson Cup, starting tomorrow at Birch Avenue.

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