The goodwill of Launceston Gorillas to help establish the North-West Raiders – Gridiron Tasmania’s newest club – has backfired in the side’s first loss of the season.
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Former coach Brett Wheldon had been instrumental in doing the groundwork in the offseason for the state’s fourth club out of Devonport.
But the Raiders handed out a “shock” 46-22 defeat on Saturday to thank their new Northern Tasmanian rival.
“It was a bit of a shock to the system for us really. We didn’t expect them to come out as hard as they did. They really got a jump on us,” new Gorillas head coach Fletcher Harding said.
While Wheldon stepped down to concentrate on playing for Launceston, three ex-Gorillas including the Raiders head coach Wayne Kambuzuna switched over to the new club in the offseason.
“They have a tremendous amount of talent on the team – and they have a lot of big boys,” Harding said.
Launceston came off a 14-8 win at Hobart Knights in its opening game of the season.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
