North Launceston coach Tom Couch is keen to kick off the 2017 State League season against Lauderdale on Saturday with a new-look Northern Bombers’ outfit.
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Couch said his side was ready to go as they make the road trip south to take on Darren Winter’s men.
“I can’t wait – that’s what I’ve moved to Tassie for and I’ve been here for about four and a half months now and it is hard to believe we are only a day or two away and I’m looking forward to playing myself,” Couch said.
“We’re looking forward to this week and we’ve got seven players making a debut for the club and six TSL debuts so I’m looking forward to seeing the boys in action.”
Dylan Clayton, Nathan Jackson, Dylan Headland, Rhyan Mansell, Lewis Hollmer, Couch and Bart McCulloch will all play their first senior games for the red and black.
“So seven changes already from last year’s grand final team and there are a few other boys who didn’t play as well – so pretty much half the side is different,” Couch said.
Jock White will miss round one with injury and captain Taylor Whitford faced a fitness test on an ankle injury sustained in the pre-season.
“He’ll have to prove himself but it is round one so if there is any don’t he won’t play because it is a long year,” Couch said.
Launceston makes the road trip to play Devonport in its season opener and new coach Sam Lonergan said his team was approaching round one with a feeling of excitement and a level of belief.
“I think we are in a really good spot and the club is in a really good position and the players are feeling really good but we have had a couple of long-term injuries which is never great,” he said.
Alex Payne will miss the season with an ACL injury after pushing for a midfield position.
The Blues will be without Jake Rice who is also likely to miss the season requiring shoulder surgery and Michael Musicka who is waiting on surgery for a hip problem.
“Ben Killalea – it would be nice to have available but is taking a bit of time to get his body right and adapting to TSL demands.
“We will have a debutant in Alec Wright and Ryan Tyrrell who is a Mariner – we get them back this weekend and we could have a couple more of those guys who play this weekend after having five in the Mariner’s team last week.”
Devonport coach Mitch Thorp said he expected his new-look team to play well on their home deck.
“We’ve got a new group and I re-signed for two years with a clear plan to get some guys between 17 and 21 in the team and get some games into them as soon as possible. That’s what we’ve done and we will probably nine new faces on the weekend which is exactly what we were after.”