Jamieson House appears to hold the answer to Launceston's key back conundrum after being given the nod at centre half-back for an opening round trip to Glenorchy.
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One of the best performers in last weekend's intraclub match, the big-bodied utility has already played midfield, forward and ruck across his career and looks set to man Magpie star Aiden Grace.
Launceston coach Mitch Thorp likened the 19-year-old to captain Jobi Harper, who played at centre half-back upon return from injury in 2018.
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"With Simon Vandervelde leaving the side we certainly needed a key defender," Thorp said. "[Jamieson's] a big strong lad that can play on talls and medium-size players and he's really an offensive defender as well.
"We think he can be used as a ball-winning defender so it gives us some flexibility down there and gives Jake Smith and Ryan Tyrrell some support in rebounding it from defensive 50.
"They're very similar players Jobi and Jamieson - Jamieson can definitely play on ball as well, but we've got Fletcher Seymour and Tim Bristow and guys like that who are similar in their attributes, so we want to get a little bit of speed into our midfield as well."
Jared Dakin will be tasked with providing that midfield speed as he presses his claim for draft selection, while Bowen Pearce will make his TSL debut following an impressive pre-season.
Thorp said the 21-year-old two-time South Launceston premiership defender had thoroughly earned his spot.
"He's come in and been super professional from day one and I can't speak highly enough of his attitude and commitment to the program," Thorp said.
"He's got himself in great condition and I think he'll be really excited when he hears his name. He brings some experience into quite a young back six which again hopefully complements the Smith, Tyrrell types."
Glenorchy threw some selection curveballs with three-time Alastair Lynch and Peter Hudson Medallist Jaye Bowden set to play as a defender after becoming just the second Pie ever to reach 500 goals last season.
The 31-year-old Glenorchy Hall of Famer sits just 44 goals behind Hudson's club record of 577.
Meanwhile, Rhys Mott has been named on the bench despite signing for NWFL outfit Ulverstone last month.
The 2016 premiership midfielder is expected to line up for the Robins when the NWFL season kicks off next week, but will continue living in Hobart and training with Glenorchy.
FULL TEAMS
Glenorchy v Launceston, Round 1
Saturday, 1pm at KGV
GLENORCHY
- B: J. Arnold, B. Williams, S. Rundle
- HB: M. Dilger, J. Bowden, Z. Webster
- C: R. Banks-Smith, J. Geard, N. Blowfield
- HF: C. Daly, A. Grace, A. Roberts
- F: J. Webb, M. Joseph, J. Whitford
- R: J. Deegan, M. Rainbird, B. Kamaric
- Int: D. Brown, R. Dilger, R. Mott, B. Patterson
- Emg: D. Coppleman, Z. Evans-fenton, R. Oakley, B. Simpson
LAUNCESTON
- B: C. Brown, J. Smith, S. Williams
- HB: M. Hodge, J. House, R. Tyrrell
- C: J. Blackberry, J. Harper, B. Palfreyman
- HF: J. Hinds, M. Thorp, A. Wright
- F: J. Donnellan, D. Riley, G. Holt
- R: H. Leedham, F. Seymour, J. Dakin
- Int: J. Boyd, T. Miller, B. Pearce, B. Taylor
- Emg: T. Auckland, T. Bristow, I. Chugg, J. Gillow
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
