The thought of starting a new season without star veteran Dane Anderson throws up a number of emotions for two-time reigning premier Westbury.
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Easily Cricket North's most prolific batsman in each of his past nine seasons, the 35-year-old signed for Hadspen in the off-season following a two-decade association with the Shamrocks.
The former Tassie Tiger won five flags and played in every grand final from 2011-12 and will be conspicuous by his absence in Saturday's grand final rematch with South Launceston.
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Skipper Dan Murfet agreed Anderson's exit would start something of a new era at the Shamrocks.
"Although most of us that'll be playing this weekend have played with Dane and know him well, I do feel as though this period has been coming where moreso other clubs have been waiting for Dane to leave because of how good he is," Murfet said.
"Obviously it was disappointing to hear Dane wouldn't be with us this year - I think he wouldn't have played this year anyway and then Hadspen came about - but at the same time it's exciting for us as a club to now move forward and see who wants to step up into those sort of roles and who wants to be the match-winners.
"We're certainly not willing to be at the top for the past nine years and playing grand finals to then fall off and not be a part of it.
"I think our leaders at the club and everyone in general is just as motivated this season, if not moreso than any other season we've had recently to do well.
"So it is going to be different but I think we're excited by it more than anything."
Saturday's game starts at 10.30am at the NTCA No.2.
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