Dakota Bannister has fully re-adapted to life as a State League footballer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The midfield bull has played all 15 of North Launceston’s matches this season, slotting through 19 majors, after a brief stint with NTFA division 2 club East Coast Swans last year.
“It was great down there, I gained a few kilos though – the seafood chowder was great,” Bannister, 22, said.
“I was weighing well over 100 kilos, so I dropped about eight over the pre-season when I put in a power of work with a lot of running, boxing training and stuff.
“I’m back into the professional side of things but the year away with the Swans helped me re-focus.
“There was a lot less stress and it helped me enjoy footy again.”
The former Brooks High and Launceston College student played junior footy at North making his senior debut in 2013 and was part of the club’s 2014 TSL premiership victory.
He missed out on the 2015 flag after a move to Queensland and had a year back at Invermay before trotting off to the Swans.
But Bannister is now back doing what he is known for at the highest level in Tasmania – kicking long-range goals, busting through packs and shrugging off would-be tacklers.
Bannister is a heavyweight boxer and has three wins to his name out of Launceston’s Tigers Den Boxing Club.
“Boxing has helped be a little bit too,” he said.
“I had a fight this year where I fought in Melbourne in May, jumped on a plane and played Lauderdale the next day – not many people would do that.”
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox. Sign up here.