While the NTFA season will see no football played before at least July 13, teams are still mentally preparing for their shots at glory.
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In the seventh of a series of previews on the NTFA's premier division competition, The Examiner looks at last season's grand finalists, Bridgenorth, who are bound to present a youthful force in 2020.
The Parrots were among several clubs across the state to resume training this week.
Coach: Gary Shipton - the former Bracknell leader has now taken the reins at Bridgenorth in his second year at the club, switching roles with Brady Demeijer, who led the Parrots for two seasons.
Captain: Jake Nunn will captain the side with Rohan Sergeant and Logan Wright to be his deputies.
2019 finish: Runners-up after finishing the home-and-away season in second with 12 wins and four losses.
Last season was almost the perfect year for Bridgenorth's men's program, with all three sides playing on the NTFA's biggest stage.
While the under-18s and reserves won their respective premierships, the seniors were unable to make it three from three, going down to Hillwood by 23 points.
Ins: Jack Seabourne (returning), Tom Burk, Will Robinson (Launceston), Declan Boyd (Launceston), Jesse Tunks (Perth), Josh Stokell (Bracknell), Brock Young (Meander Valley).
Outs: Rohan Bones (Circular Head Football Association), Nick Milbourne (NWFL), Jimmy Mitchell (SFL), Zach Griffiths, Tyson Gray, Jack McCulloch (returning to North Hobart - TSL).
Who's impressed: Shipton listed Rohan Sergeant, Jordan Wadley, Wian Dekker, Isaac Lethborg, Jake Nunn, Jake Rice and Josh Youd as players that impressed him with their work during the pre-season.
Coach says: "Obviously we are going to be a lot younger side than we were last year so we are just looking to improve week by week and take it week by week," he said.
"The new recruits have fitted in well into the group. A lot of the younger fellas played at the club last year so it's just pushing through with what we were doing towards the end of last year and carrying that on into 2020.
"We had our first night back on Tuesday and it was quite positive, the boys were up and about and just happy to be back having a kick.
OTHER PREVIEWS
- Old Scotch
- University of Tasmania
- George Town women's
- Deloraine
- George Town
- Old Scotch women's
- Bracknell
- Hillwood
- Perth
- South Launceston
- South Launceston women's
- Old Launcestonians women's
- Old Launcestonians
- Rocherlea
- Scottsdale women's
- Lilydale
- Meander Valley women's
- Meander Valley
- Bridgenorth women's
- Longford
- Evandale
- Evandale women's
- East Coast
"There was a lot of running groups and things like that [during the break enforced by coronavirus].
"A few guys had some of the club's footballs so they would meet up in groups of two and have a kick and go for a run together.
"Last year's grand-final loss has definitely fueled some of the boys, the ones that obviously played in the senior group last year are more than keen to get back out on the park and go one better.
"Like I said, we are a very young group so we are just going to build from week to week if we do get back out on the park."
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