Launceston City
COACH: Barry Baker
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LAST SEASON: Did not compete
ROUND 1: Somerset (A) 12pm, Saturday, July 18
DEPARTURES: New squad
ARRIVALS: Zoe Horgan (Kingborough Lions), Chelsea Baker (Riverside), Sarah Campbell (Riverside), Zali Kirkman (returning), Victoria Zawko (Adelaide)
CAPTAIN: Kiara Walsh
PRE-SEASON FORM: Lost 4-0 to Northern Rangers in Statewide Cup.
HOW'S THE TEAM LOOKING: The cup game was a good hitout against a side that have either won or finished runners-up in the league for the last few years. I was pleased with the performance and hopefully we can build on that. They're a fairly young group but once they start to bond should develop into a strong team. For us, it's all about rebuilding and getting the club back going because we were a strong club and want to get back to that and make a pathway for the junior girls to get a taste of the seniors.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
PLAYER TO WATCH: Because my daughter plays in the side I'll let my assistant answer that one. Darren Cook: "Darcie Reilly is a left-back and state junior representative. It's good to see youth players coming through the senior ranks and being able to contribute."
GOAL FOR THE SEASON: Our main objective is to keep improving and develop as a team through the season, and hopefully win a few games along the way.
Launceston United
COACH: Cameron Heazlewood
LAST SEASON: 4th (W7, D2, L9)
ROUND 1: Northern Rangers (A) 2.30pm, Saturday, July 18
DEPARTURES: Emily Heazlewood (Adelaide)
ARRIVALS: Isobel Cootes (NSW), Maddy Lohse (NSW), Jessica Robinson (UK), Gonya Luate (Northern Rangers), Adilat Otto (Northern Rangers), Annika Reitsema (Northern Rangers), Nichola James (Riverside)
CAPTAINS: Dani Gunton and Katie Hill
PRE-SEASON FORM: Pre-COVID lost to Riverside and beat City 8-1
HOW'S THE TEAM LOOKING: On paper I think we should go OK. We've just got to play the style I want which is an attacking brand of football. I'm excited and quietly confident about the season. We were late to get going after COVID so were only able to play intra-club stuff but now it's just great to be back on the pitch.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Maddy Lohse is a very technical player who is good on the ball, can play in multiple positions and is an all-round team player.
GOAL FOR THE SEASON: A top-three finish. We would be happy with that. We're quietly confident but with the shorter season, if you stuff up early you're playing catch-up so we've got to be ready.
Northern Rangers
COACH: Ian Loft
LAST SEASON: 2nd (W15, D0, L3)
ROUND 1: Launceston United (H) 2.30pm, Saturday, July 18
DEPARTURES: Tanita Nortje, Gonya Luate (Launceston United), Adilat Otto (Launceston United), Annika Reitsema (Launceston United)
ARRIVALS: Abbi Nash (Victoria), Arlene Crookes (returning), Mahalia Smith (juniors), Ella Crouch (juniors)
CAPTAIN: Jess Loft
PRE-SEASON FORM: Won 4-0 v Launceston City in Statewide Cup
HOW'S THE TEAM LOOKING: Arlene Crookes was the original captain when the team started 10 or 12 years ago and brings experience to a fairly strong core of Jess Loft, Febey Pearce and Abbie Chugg.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Moana Chamberlin was the club top-scorer and joint best and fairest last year. She just got back from Africa and Europe and we'll expect more of the same from her.
GOAL FOR THE SEASON: The main goal is to make sure they all keep together and enjoy whatever season it is. If we do well, it's a bonus but it's more about enjoying it and coming back next year. We just want to have a competitive season and hope they all come back because there's no point having success if they all walk away next year. That does not do the club any good.
Riverside Olympic
COACH: Jo Haezebrouck
LAST SEASON: Champions (W17, D0, L1)
ROUND 1: Devonport (H) 4.30pm, Saturday, July 18
DEPARTURES: Chelsea Baker (Launceston City), Sarah Campbell (Launceston City), Nichola James (Launceston United)
ARRIVALS: Maddie Davies (Hobart), Mia Findlay
CAPTAIN: Georgia Wing
PRE-SEASON FORM: Lost friendly 19-0 to Devonport; Beat Metro 5-3 in Statewide Cup
HOW'S THE TEAM LOOKING: There are just five or six players left from last season's side so we have a lot of new players, a new coach and a new system. It's a very young group with eight players under 19 but something we can work with into the future. Meg Connolly was our top scorer last season and scored four on Saturday but is still only 17 so there is still a lot of progress ahead for her. Our lack of experience showed against Devonport. They are the team to beat and we play them first up. I would be disappointed if we made the same mistakes as a couple of weeks ago. We changed some things in the second game, some players came in and made a difference and we showed more intensity.
PLAYER TO WATCH: I was a defender and so the player I've been most impressed with has been centre back Madi Gilpin. She came in after the Devonport game, helped organise the defence and was outstanding. Results always start from the back and if you are organised there you can build on that so for me she is the crucial player in the team.
GOAL FOR THE SEASON: To improve every week. Long-term, Riverside want to go to the State League. We would have to work very hard but maybe in a couple of years this young team can achieve that.
Round 1 (Saturday)
- 12pm Somerset v Ltn City
- 12pm Ulverstone v Burnie
- 2.30pm Rangers v Ltn Utd
- 4.30pm Riverside v Dport