After nearly a decade out of finals, North Hobart is the genuine product once more.
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That's the view of Launceston coach Mitch Thorp as his side prepares to travel south for a top-of-the-table clash.
After coming within 10 points of reigning premier North Launceston, the Demons have knocked off Kingborough and Lauderdale and will host the ladder-leaders fresh from a week off.
"North Hobart have done a great job," Thorp said.
"They've been down and out for a little while and they've done a great job of re-establishing the oldest club in Tasmania and the off-field work over the last three or four years, they should be commended on the work they've done.
"Now they're the real deal on the ground - they're extremely fit, they're well organised and most of all they've got some very good young players.
"Having watched them the first three rounds they've played ... I've been able to have a good look at them and they're a good outfit."
Blues midfielder Fletcher Seymour (ankle) is almost certain to return in the 2pm clash, replacing defender Bowen Pearce, while Michael Musicka keeps his spot after collecting a corkie in the win over Lauderdale.
Hamish Leedham remains in the development league despite a best-on ground effort last week - ending hopes of a tasty ruck battle with 205cm Demons namesake Hamish Allan - while promising small forward James Gillow is edging closer to his first senior game of 2020.
Thorp named half-a-dozen players on the fringe of senior selection.
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"Our D-League have done a great job - they had a 100-point win last week and James Gillow, Hamish Leedham, Isaac Chugg, Grant Holt, Stewart Williams - they all played really strong games," Thorp said.
"Zach Morris as a younger bloke is playing some really good footy, so there's definitely some pressure on there for spots but we're hesitant to make too many changes given we've started relatively well and just want to keep being consistent with what we put out on the park."
If those on the outside have been surprised by North Hobart's rise this season, those on the inside haven't.
A rock-solid pre-season combined with young and experienced squad additions had the Demons full of belief heading into 2020.
"I knew that we'd done enough work," coach Richard Robinson said.
"I knew that we'd recruited really well and then with the COVID stuff we ended up getting Baxter [Norton] and Sandy [Jack Sandric] back from Melbourne so that's handy and obviously the Devils boys.
"So I knew that we had a bit of depth throughout our club but it's only three games in, there's a long way to go so we're just focusing on Launny this week."
Experienced midfielder Troy Cunliffe has been the pick of the recruits so far and averages a goal a game after three stellar outings.
"One thing about Troy I didn't realise is how hard he is, he tackles really well," Robinson said.
"People just see the offensive side of his game, but his hard ball gets and the amount of tackles he lays ... he's had a really good start.
"Our mature-age recruits have all played their role, whether it be Michael or Jeff Fisher or Nath Hardy."
TEAMS
NORTH HOBART v LAUNCESTON
North Hobart Oval, 2pm
NORTH HOBART
- B: M. Fisher, B. Walker, H. Williams
- HB: S. Collins, C. Kilpatrick, B. Norton
- C: W. Peppin, J. Sandric, P. Walker
- HF: J. Fisher, J. Steele, T. Reeves
- F: J. Menzie, N. Hardy, A. Norton
- R: H. Allan, N. McCulloch, T. Cunliffe
- Int: S. Caswell, J. Charlton, F. Poke, M. Yates
- Emg: T. McGinniss, G. Mcleod, H. Williams, S. Willis
LAUNCESTON
- B: J. Tuthill, J. Boyd, R. Tyrrell
- HB: M. Hodge, J. House, J. Smith
- C: J. Blackberry, J. Harper, C. Brown
- HF: M. Musicka, M. Thorp, B. Taylor
- F: J. Hinds, D. Riley, A. Wright
- R: T. Auckland, J. Dakin, B. Palfreyman
- Int: T. Bristow, J. Donnellan, T. Miller, F. Seymour
- Emg: I. Chugg, G. Holt, B. Pearce, S. Williams
In: F. Seymour
Out: B. Pearce