Launceston has been the pandemic beneficiary of one more season with Mia King.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Before the shock outbreak of COVID-19, King was set to remain in Melbourne, attend to her physiotherapy degree and take a step forward in the North Melbourne VFLW side to shaping an AFLW career.
But bizarre circumstances of a late TSLW season has not only rejuvenated King, but given the talent an excuse to pull the navy guernsey back on for possibly the last time.
"After AFLW got cut short, many people find that they don't have that break from AFLW into TSLW, as we are straight into it," King said.
"I think the TSLW starting late was a nice break to feel refreshed and I'm just loving TSLW footy, which is good."
King may be grateful, but Glenorchy probably isn't.
That's an extra headache for the Magpies to put a stop on the Blues' most dangerous player around the contest.
But the 19-year-old has sounded out a stern warning to Saturday's rivals to keep an eye on a relentless midfield.
The addition of Launceston Tornadoes 2019 recruit Brooke Brown leads the pack.
MORE FOOTBALL: OLS, Deloraine set for table-topping NTFA clash
"She is very agile coming off the [half] back flank, but we've also got Jen [Guy] having an awesome start in the midfield," King said.
"She is very strong, very powerful, but we have a really strong team all-round and got a good foundation."
King is bracing for a "physical game" from Glenorchy, who in all three past TSLW seasons have made the top three and along with Clarence and Launceston have also claimed a premiership.
"I think they have a fairly good team still," she said.
"A lot of their older players have left, but I do think they have younger ones coming through, ready to step up."
While Launceston earned two standard wins over North Launceston and Tigers that has boosted their percentage to an unfathomable 5400%, Glenorchy already suffered a 32-point loss to Clarence that would be cause for concern ahead of the home clash.
But King is not writing off the Pies and the trip south to take on the 2018 premiers is an ideal build up for the hotly-anticipated grand final rematch the following week.
"It'll be really good to see where we are at in terms of our footy," she said, "I guess we'll see on the day, but I don't know if it will be close."
Subscriptions are available here
Sign up to our Sport email here
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
