After finishing their 2020 season undefeated and atop the State League mountain, the Northern Hawks have come back down to earth as this year's season gets started on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We want to restart now - we've got a change in our team so we're not going in with the same team, which means dynamics change," Hawks captain Danni Pickett said.
"We need to find ways to keep improving and strengthening our side because we've got a target on our backs now."
The champions will enter this season without wing defence Chelsea Mawer and wing attack Clare McKimmie, as well as defender Hannah Lenthall who joined the Cavaliers.
"For us, it's about getting young girls up and starting to blood them - giving them opportunities to play at a higher level.
"We've added to each of the court: we've got Kendall Jones in the shooting end, Lauren Spencer in the mid-court and Gabbi Groves in defensive end."
The side will also be without Ruth Tuohy in a coaching capacity, with co-coach Kellie Woolnough taking on the reins with both hands.
"Not having her [Tuohy] as a co-coach has left a bit of a gap," Woolnough said.
"We've got a different team from last year - every year is a different challenge and you need to go in and focus on what you did the year before and what you need to improve upon this year."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT:
Tuohy remains with the club as a committee member.
"Kel's [Woolnough] such a committed and focussed coach - she's always looking at ways to improve us as a team and individuals," Pickett said.
"She's been around the coaching ranks for a very long time and has seen how the club's progressed over the last 10 or 15 years.
"The amount of changes she makes to her coaching to improve us is amazing and the work she puts in behind the scenes; we're very lucky to have her."
Former Victorian men's player Cam Martin will jump on board as assistant coach.
"He's brought a heap of knowledge to the group as well and we've had a few practice matches against the Tassie men's team and it's unreal what they can do."
As for fending off fellow finals hopefuls and Launceston counterparts the Cavs, Pickett was ready to face them as they too vie for the title.
"Every game we play against the Cavs is nice and close generally," she said.
"It's a really healthy, good rivalry we have with them, we'll probably be watching closely this weekend to see how they go.
"Cavs and Hawks is always a really good rivalry and it's always going to be a fierce match so we're looking forward to it."