Only 11 of the 22 that played in Launceston's semi-final loss to Lauderdale six months ago will line up in Saturday's round one clash with Glenorchy, with Sam Lonergan, Chayce Jones and Rulla Kelly-Mansell headlining the exits from Windsor Park. 

But the strength of their development league side, which has lost just three times in the past two years, has the Blues primed to cover their losses with in-house replacements.

"We came together in November with a different looking list, with some guys that have won a premiership last year in the D-league really motivated to play senior footy," Thorp said.

"We've had some players move abroad but we've also had some younger guys that haven't played senior footy see it as an opportunity for them.

"So we think we've got a nice balance of youthful enthusiasm and some experience at the top end with Tim Bristow coming in from Western Australia and Fletcher Seymour [from Clarence].

"We've also got a core of players that have played State League for a little while and a couple of other guys I've coached before at South Launceston so it was a pretty seamless transition having played here last year as well."

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The Blues endured an up-and-down home and away season in 2018, book-ending a run of six losses in seven games with two five-game winning streaks.

A straight-sets finals exit followed, which then-coach Lonergan believed was well short of what the side could have achieved with the talent at its disposal. 

"Last year our biggest challenge was how inconsistent we were from week to week and also inconsistent during games," Thorp said. 

"I think there were several times during the year when we had games won and found a way not to be in front when the siren went.

"So we're trying to be better for longer, harder to play against for longer and more competitive - all those sort of things we've tried to instil in the boys over summer."

Thorp will get a good idea of where his charges are at in Saturday's clash with Paul Kennedy's Magpies, who knocked off the Blues in last year's qualifying final. 

The 30-year-old has named a handful of debutants for the season opener and nominated Grant Holt and Jack Tuthill - named in pockets at either end of the ground - as two to watch over the course of the season. 

"Grant's a fantastic young man, he's 18 now, a little left-footer - he reminds me of Jay Blackberry at the same age," Thorp said.

"That speaks volumes if you know who Jay Blackberry is - he's captain of this club, he's a premiership TSL player and one of the elite midfielders in the competition, so I think having someone like Grant coming through the ranks at the footy club is very exciting.

"He'll wear number two this year so he's jumped into a very nice number, and same for Jack Tuthill, he's in number five.

"Chris Savage our captain last year wore number five and as soon as Sav finished the year he said he wanted Jack to wear that number.

"The Tuthill family have a lot of history with the football club and he's a very competitive young defender that sees the ball and has a crack at it in the air, so we're looking forward to those boys playing senior footy."