Launceston coach Mitch Thorp has played in the best football leagues Australia has to offer.
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Donning Hawthorn's brown and gold in the AFL on two occasions, the 31-year-old also spent time in the VFL and SANFL before heading back home.
But he said Saturday's State League grand final was the most intense game of football he's ever played in.
A ringing endorsement for Tasmanian football, the Blues leader continued to sing the praises of the contest after the siren.
TSL FINALS FEVER
"I assume it was a very pleasing game to watch," he said.
"For anyone that knocks the TSL, pick up a copy of that grand final and tell me it doesn't mean something and the standard of football in Tasmania is not very high because that was the most intense game of football I've ever played in."
Speaking highly of the physical combat and battle as well as the skill level, Thorp started his day being manned up by emerging draft hope Jackson Callow.
The pair's tussles were one of many spotfires throughout the game, which saw a memorable melee break out after the quarter-time siren.
The 13-point Blues victory also saw captain Jobi Harper pick up the Darrel Baldock Medal for best on ground in a grand final, with Thorp full of praise for his long-time running buddy.
"Jobi Harper's goal on three-quarter-time just swung the momentum, the crowd lifted and the whole grandstand was bloody shaking.
"If ever you want a leader to stand up on a big occasion, that's his second best on ground in a grand final - that's not a coincidence, he's a bloody superstar."
Alongside his three-quarter-time special, Harper also booted a pivotal goal out of the ruck 17 minutes into the last term to put the Blues seven points in front.
Thorp - who has at least another two seasons left as coach - said the group that himself, Harper and the rest of the leadership group have created are striving for long-term success.
"Hopefully we are building a program and an environment that is sustainable and we can maintain the high level of football we had this year," he said.
Pick up a copy of that grand final and tell me it doesn't mean something
- 2020 TSL premiership coach Mitch Thorp
"To only lose three games, to beat North earlier in the year but then to beat them in a grand final on their patch, it shows some real substance.
"Our back six, their average age is 20 - four of our back six have played at the club since they were under nines - so we have a really nice framework."
That back six of Jacob Boyd, Jamieson House, Ryan Tyrrell, Jared Dakin, Alec Wright and Miller Hodge conceded the lowest season total en route to Launceston's third premiership of the day.
Thorp admitted the development league, women's and seniors three-peat was unlikely to happen again.
"I couldn't have a better group to coach, they are all coach-able."