Two of the state’s best football talents will line up against each other in their TSL opener on Saturday for the first time since their junior football days.
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Devonport coach Mitch Thorp and Launceston coach Sam Lonergan played junior football for Longford and Launceston respectively before teaming up in the Mariners program and later as playing assistant coaches at SANFL club Glenelg in 2014 after AFL careers with Hawthorn and Essendon.
Lonergan said they were both passionate about football and teaming up at Glenelg strengthened their relationship with their wives good friends and both having young families.
“We still have conversations about coaching footy and get together socially so it’s unchartered territory playing against each other on Saturday,” he said.
“We were both brought up that once you cross the white line it is game on and you’re out there to win so it is probably just lucky that we’re not going to be lining up directly on each other.
“Our partners have spoken every day but we will stay away from each other this week – there’s no point pushing the friendship with questions when we’ve got alternative motives in the background.”
It will be Lonergan’s first senior game since the final round at Glenelg, in 2015.
“I’ll be looking forward to the final siren but I’ve done 90 per cent of the pre-season and the body feels really good. It is refreshing to have some nerves back because it tells me I am engaged in what is going on and I’m excited.
Thorp said it was great to have Lonergan back in the state coaching and playing but their friendship wouldn’t get in the way of a healthy rivalry on the field.
“Sam is about 18 months older but we always played in the same competitions and were both drafted at similar times and then coached and played together at Glenelg but we will put all that stuff to one side because we are both very competitive people so there will be no love lost.
“We could possibly line up against each other at some point – he’s an A-grade player and a tough, inside midfielder and I dare say would be the best midfielder in the state so we have a few ideas on guys who might spend some time on Sam.
“The friendship will be put to one side while the game is on but off the ground we will have a beer and win, lose or draw we will push on from there.”
