Queechy Penguins look to make a name for themselves on the opening night of the GNL season when they face off against top-four threat South Launceston. Narrowly missing out on finals last year, Queechy were in a three-horse race with South and the wounds will still be fresh. West Devonport aim to get their premiership defence off to a quality start for another year with a win against Devonport. Launceston City - Tamar Churinga play their first game in the joint venture between the two with an intriguing battle against Smithton. In another blockbuster game of the round, last year's giant killers South Burnie hope to keep that reputation intact as they face last year's minor premiers City Marians.
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City Marians
Captain: Monique Grundy
Coach: Craig McCarthy
Marians hit a rich vein of form throughout the season and were only defeated once, coming in round two against Launceston City en route to the final. After narrowly tasting defeat in the final last year, the Marians girls are motivated to go one better with a long pre-season maintaining their fitness. Losing Sophie Johnstone and Romani Kenworthy from full-time play due to university, the team will be ravaged by junior state duties early but will be at full strength after Easter.
Devonport
Captain: Kayla Rataj
Coach: Raquel Innis
Picking up one win in round six against Launceston City, the young side struggled for consistency throughout. Originally considering withdrawing their GNL team, Devonport had several players return from absences with the side building to be stronger than last season. Joining the team include captain Kayla Rataj, Amanda von Schill and Sharon Voucher, who add experience to the developing side.
Launceston City - Tamar Churinga
Captain: TBA
Coach: Colin Pearson
A new entity within the GNLW due to lack of numbers from both parties, the combined venture are looking to build team cohesion and culture within the group. As the team is quite young, improving on City's third place finish last year will be challenging, with consistency to be the key throughout. The side is showing plenty of enthusiasm through training despite the disrupted preparation and will have to defend strongly early on.
Queechy Penguins
Captain: TBA
Coach: Matt McRobbie
Sliding out of finals contention after a head-to-head battle for fourth spot with northern counterparts South Launceston and Launceston City, Queechy will be hungry for more this season. With an average age of 24-years-old and plenty of list changes including Deb West and Abby Withington departing, the Penguins have gained Jenny Zhuo and Jess Totham from La Trobe University and Western Australia. Queechy have also bolstered their stocks with returning players and division two depth stepping up to GNL.
Smithton
Captain: Leadership group yet to be announced
Co-Coaches: Leah House and Sonia Poke
Smithton's 2018 season produced three wins as they were competitive but struggled to maintain consistency throughout. With a young side persisting throughout, last year's juniors now have an extra year of GNL play under their belts with coach Leah House and Constance Perry joining the club from local competitions. Only losing Jandi and Darcey Smith from 2018, the group remains tight-knit and excited to improve on past results.
South Burnie
Captain: Rotating
Coach: Mel Scolyer
Picking up seven wins throughout the season, including wins over top four sides Launceston City and West Devonport, South Burnie were dangerous in 2018. After a solid pre-season, coach Mel Scolyer expects the side to be at full strength after they get their state juniors back. With Kim Skene and Talia Britton leaving the club, Chloe Leary comes in as the team expects to be 'there and there-abouts' for finals this season.
South Launceston Suns
Captain: Nic Symonds
Coach: Joanne Brumby
Scraping into the top four last year, the South Launceston Suns will be hungry to follow in the footsteps of their male counterparts in 2019. With 2018 coach Suzie Brumby unable to resume due to maternity leave, ex-teammate Joanne Brumby steps into the role as she returns from Launceston City. Joining Joanne in returning to the club is former captain Hayley Johns with Hobart's Brigit Ikin joining the side and boosting the already strong midfield presence. Having played with Suzie and the Suns in the past, Joanne knows the club's game style and as a result, the change-over between coaches hasn't effected the group massively.
West Devonport
Captain: TBA
Coach: Lucinda Spencer
West Devonport continued their stranglehold over the GNL competition, claiming their fourth consecutive premiership last season. With a different lineup expected for 2019, several first time GNL players will take the field for West Devonport including Brielle Geard, ex-Queechy player Caitlin French and returnee Kendall King with Petria Button a big loss for the reigning premiers. The dominant side are still expecting to make the top four, with the expectation not as high as previous years however.
Round 1 Women's Fixture
South Launceston v Queechy - 7:30pm Friday, St Leonards
West Devonport v Devonport - 12:30pm, Devonport
Launceston City - Tamar Churinga v Smithton - 1pm, St Leonards
City Marians v South Burnie - 2pm, Burnie
2018 Ladder
1 City Marians - runners up
2 West Devonport - premiers
3 Launceston City
4 South Launceston
5 Queechy Penguins
6 South Burnie
7 Smithton
8 Devonport
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
