His 2020 may not be going as expected but former North Launceston player Rhyan Mansell isn't regretting his switch of states.
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Moving to South Australia at the end of last year to play for SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens, the 19-year-old has since returned to Launceston during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Ever since it got announced that all football had been postponed for the foreseeable future, I quickly got onto a plane from Adelaide to get back home to Launnie," he said.
"I've been down here for the last six weeks and it's been good to obviously be down with family and friends through this hard time with the virus."
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Selected in the Eagles' senior side for their solitary practice match against Glenelg before the coronavirus pandemic, Mansell got the opportunity to rub shoulders with some former AFL talent.
Among them was Launceston's Jesse Lonergan who, along with former Adelaide forward Jared Petrenko and club vice-captain Joey Sinor, have helped the former St Patrick's College student easily slide into the club.
"They've been really welcoming and it's just an easy club to get along with everyone and training's obviously at a high intensity and high standard every night so it's been really fun.
"When it first got announced [that football would be delayed], it was sort of like did I do all of this for nothing and I was a bit down but ever since I've been back training hard, I've realised it was definitely the right move.
"It looks highly likely that our football is going to be back around July-August apparently so it's definitely the right move and I can't wait to get back over there and play some footy."
Playing mainly as a forward last season during his five games for North Launceston and inaugural NAB League year with the Tasmania Devils, Mansell is set for a shift in role in South Australia but it's a role he's no stranger to.
"This year, it's more of a lockdown defender where I think I play my best football, where I played for North Launnie and the state program in my draft year and underage year.
"I think that's where I'll be playing most of this season, they've talked about going onto the wing as well just to free me up a bit but more of a lockdown defender role on the best small forward of the opposition [is where I'll be playing]."
Unsuccessfully attempting to get a casual job during his time back down in Tasmania, the rising talent was then able to put a large portion of his time back into training which has been dictated by ongoing restrictions.
"The first two or three weeks weren't too bad. We just got told to go out and do a few 20-minute runs, which obviously it's not ideal but you've got to do it to stay fit.
"Then we had a few skill sessions, I've been doing that with a couple of mates - obviously one-on-one with the virus going on - but it's started to ramp up the last two or three weeks.
"I've been sent through some pretty tough sessions from the strength and conditioning coach over in Adelaide."
Mansell should know the nature of his season after May 11 with a return pathway to be announced.
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