Ahead of the Greater Northern League's opening weekend on July 18, The Examiner profiles two of the competition's key role-players - South Launceston's Sam Beckett and Queechy's Lucy Cooper.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
HOME FINAL CRUCIAL
Given the league's shortened season this year, 23-year-old South Launceston midfielder Beckett believes every game will be critical.
Having played in each of South Launceston's four premierships in the past six seasons, the former Launceston Church Grammar School student knows a bit about achieving success.
"Games against the big clubs are going to mean a lot more - we are only getting the chance to play everyone once," Beckett said.
"To actually secure a home final, those games will mean heaps. Playing them once, you need the home final.
"You'd much rather play in Launceston than Burnie come finals time, so you need to win those games basically."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
South Launceston's main challengers over the past six seasons have been Burnie Baptist, who have taken the crown from the Suns in both 2017 and 2019, heading into this season as reigning premiers.
Led by prolific goal-scorer and former Queechy Penguins coach Khan Riley, the Burnie boys in blue will be a dangerous outfit once again.
"The last few years we've been obviously the top two, so we just love playing each other. We have close games and it's always fiery - it's good fun playing those lads."
Describing his role as a midfielder who feeds off to Kurt Budgeon and Brad Buchanan around the backline, Beckett feels the key to the side's success stems from their strong core group.
"Just being strong through our basics, that's what's got us there the past few years.
"We've got good scorers up front, Kurt's obviously played Tigers as well so we're lucky to have him in our team and then just a great group of players we've had right through juniors."
Beckett says the key to maintaining his fitness over the season's delayed start was a lot of running, given his side only returned to turf training two weeks ago.
YOUNG GUN SCORER
Following a breakout season last year, Queechy Penguins striker Cooper is just looking forward to getting back out there.
Scoring eight goals in her 14 matches last season, including a four-goal haul against Devonport, the 18-year-old finished fifth in the league's scoring tally and is hoping her side can continue their growth.
"We are really looking forward to it, improving as a team and staying as a close-knit group," she said.
"We've always had a lot of players that have played together for many years so we will just continue improving and playing as a team.
"Last year, we made it to finals and we were strong contenders in the competition, so hopefully we will be able to continue that this year and be as good as we were last year."
With her mum, Dianne, still playing competitively for Tamar Churinga, Cooper is hoping to have a long-term future in the sport.
Whether that be at a highly-competitive level like the Tassie Tigers or Hockeyroos, she's unsure, but the improving forward has made a good base for herself, having played state under-16s and 18s.
Unfortunately several of her national commitments have been cancelled due to coronavirus but she's remaining upbeat.
"I was meant to play in the under-18s in April but that got cancelled. Other than that, there was under-21s, which I was going to try out for. There was also an upcoming camp in October which got cancelled as well.
"It was obviously disappointing but we know that it was for the greater good so it was fine in the end but it's just good to be back out there playing."
A potential round one clash with long-time rivals South Launceston Suns intrigues Cooper, as both sides share a tight bond between their sides.
"We have always had a rivalry and it should be a very interesting opening game.
"They have a strong forward line and just like us, they are a close-knit team and they always bring their A-game for sure."
Subscriptions are available here.
Sign up to our Sport email here.