The State League's reigning Alastair Lynch medallist will finally represent Tasmania after being named in the final 23 for the weekend's under-25 clash with Vic Metro.
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North Launceston's three-time premiership midfielder Josh Ponting will run out onto UTAS Stadium on Sunday as one of a select group of Tasmanian debutants, with the majority of his teammates having represented the state at junior level.
A runaway winner at last season's TSL best and fairest awards, the 24-year-old said he was unsure of what to expect from his maiden state outing.
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"I've never played a state game, I wasn't in the junior programs or anything like that so this will be the first time," Ponting said.
"I'm pretty privileged to be picked in the squad obviously, any time you get picked in a squad to represent Tassie is pretty good.
"It'll be interesting to see how it goes - Vic Metro will be a good test, so it'll be good to jump out here in front of hopefully a good crowd and put the map on."
The 2013 Rocherlea premiership player has enjoyed another solid campaign in 2019, guiding the Northern Bombers to a 7-1 start with best-on-ground performances against Launceston and North Hobart.
North Launceston entered their round 10 bye on a high following big wins over Clarence and Kingborough, and Ponting believes his team is beginning to hit its straps after a considerable list turnover in the off-season.
"We knew it would take seven, eight, nine games to actually click as there's a few new boys coming in," the Bombers' vice-captain said.
"I think we're starting to click now - starting to roll over.
"It's unfortunate the bye had to happen now where we have two or three games off, but that also gives us a chance to spend a bit more time together outside of football and get to know each other a little bit better.
"Those bonds are slowly growing so I can imagine come the end of the season we're only hopefully going to get better and it's good to have those younger boys come up and get a taste for senior footy."
Ponting will be joined in the Tasmanian squad by fellow Northern Bombers Alex Lee, Jay Foon, Sherrin Egger and Arion Richter-Salter.
Of those four, only Foon can challenge Ponting for the most games played on Sunday's stage of UTAS Stadium.
"It'll be good to get out here - we play all our home games here so we do know the ground pretty well which is something we'll have over Vic Metro.
"Hopefully that holds us in good stead, we can play some good footy and put on a show."
SCHEDULE
Sunday 9 June - UTAS Stadium, Launceston
- 10:00am - Tasmania Devils v Murray Bushrangers (NAB League Round 10)
- 12:30pm - Allies v Victoria Country (NAB U18 National Championships)
- 3:00pm - Tasmania Devils v Victoria Metro (U25 Representative Match)