Fast-rising division one side Old Launcestonians has reaped the benefits of non-participating sides in this year's NTFA Shield competition.
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Enlisting the support of eight players from reigning premiers Hillwood, South Launceston, St Pats, Evandale and Perth, the Blues have added some depth to their original playing roster.
Sharks trio Kieran Fullard, Jarrod Frankcombe and Tristan Collins have joined Jordan Harris, Sam Rawlings, Ethan Conway, Tom Reinmuth and Jake Williams in donning the Blues' kit this season, with coach Laine Cleaver now pleased with his side's depth.
"It all started with the season being cancelled and those blokes from those clubs not being able to play and they've all got links to our club - they've all got mates that play at our club," he said.
"They mentioned that they wouldn't mind coming down so we got them into training and they enjoyed their first couple of sessions and agreed to transfer across.
"They are all quality players and they will all come across through the "transfer B" to allow them to play this year and then go back to their clubs next year.
"Playing in the mixed league against the big teams, you'd expect them to be stronger than the division one clubs so bringing those guys in mainly from premier league clubs [makes us stronger]."
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"From five years ago, it's come a long way in terms of the personnel at the club - the culture they are trying to build.
"We are trying to get good people as well as good footballers at the club and all these guys that we have brought in are fantastic young men.
"We want to continue pushing forward this year and give the club the opportunity to play some football but also, playing against the premier league teams gives exposure for the club.
"Up against some of those teams, if we can go alright, people might look at the club and go 'OLs is a good place to be, they look like they've got a good thing going on' and then it might attract players to play for us next year or in the coming years."
Cleaver, who is a teacher at St Patrick's College, predicted Fullard to boost the club's ruck stocks alongside Danny Hall while Frankcombe will slot into the defensive six.
The combination of Williams and Conway, who late last month created waves on the cricket pitch by moving south to Glenorchy, have been coached by Cleaver in the past at St Pats and have been tipped to work their way into the midfield and forward line respectively.
The new-look Blues are set to face fellow division one side University of Tasmania in the first round on July 18 in the Lions' first match-up since rebranding the club from the Uni-Mowbray Eagles in February.
With their home ground one of the premier surfaces in the competition, Old Launcestonians will host Old Scotch in a night game later in the makeshift season, getting their round nine clash underway at 6.45pm on Friday, September 11.
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