While the NTFA season will see no football played before at least May 31, teams are still mentally preparing for their shots at glory.
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In the fourth of a series of previews on the NTFA's premier division,The Examiner looks at South Launceston as they put 2019 behind them and charge forward at the hands of a new coach.
2019 finish: Fifth - eight wins and losses. Defeated by Rocherlea in elimination final.
Ins: Jordan Tepper, Kurt Hibbs, Jack Mazengarb (all North Launceston), Aidan Collins (Hillwood), Daniel Berry (Longford), Nick Denholm (East Coast), Kaleb Thomas (Evandale), Jordan Furley (Perth), William Mazengarb (North Hobart), Sam Mayne, Cameron Curtis (both Launceston), Joel Mountney, Mitch Hills (both returning).
Outs: Nathan Parkin (North Launceston), Bowen Pearce (Launceston).
Who's impressed: Taylor listed Daniel Berry, Aidan Collins, Kurt Hibbs, Jordan Tepper, Sam Mayne, Dylan Johnston and Kane Lewis as players that have impressed him with their work ethic during the pre-season.
Coach says: "I'm new to the club in coaching out alone, I had nothing to do with the club last year but I do know quite a few of the guys from when I assisted Spreader [Leigh Harding]," Taylor said.
"It was a really different feel, we had really good numbers on the track, consistently having 30 plus and were rapt with the guys that were doing the work.
"We had heaps of young blokes, our under-18s numbers have picked up as Daniel Johnston's done a great job with them.
"Just when we saw the light at the end of the tunnel in round one, this virus came and stopped us in our tracks just like everyone else.
"I really haven't looked at last year at all and that's being brutally honest. It's all about a new set of coaches, some fresh players, fresh ideas, new leadership at the club and it's all about going in a fresh direction this year.
"We are really looking to push some younger guys up and strengthen our bond with the junior club to make that transition easier from under-16s to the senior club if they don't go on to play State League, so that's been our priority as opposed to where we think we will finish and where they finished last year.
OTHER PREVIEWS
"We've got the players in small teams and they have a leader within their teams. When they do an activity or a fitness session, they prove to their leader that they've done that task and they get points.
"We've just got a little COVID challenge where the teams are competing against each other and the more they do, the more points they get.
"It's just to get them outside and keep their them exercising and their mental health well because at the end of the day, footy isn't the focus at the minute but until we are told otherwise, we need to insure that they are ready to go."
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