Three Western United players got the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Tasmania's native wildlife.
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Tomoki Imai was one of them, jumping at the opportunity to learn about and hold a young orphaned wombat and a Tasmanian Devil.
The Japanese defender said he loved Tasmania and wanted to bring his family back. However, he admitted holding the two animals was a little bit scary.
"[It] has really good food, good people and to see a Tasmanian Devil and a wombat is very good," he said.
"[We] went to the winery ... but I want to come here [the zoo] the most."
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United player Steven Lustica was happy to let his international teammates, Imai and Victor Sanchez, hold the wildlife as he looked towards Thursday's match against Wellington Phoenix.
He said it was his first time seeing a devil, but the squad's focus would shift to the match.
"It's the first time for most of us here," he said.
"We've had a great time so far, hopefully we can get some good support again on Thursday night."
Lustica sung praise for the quality of the playing surface at UTAS Stadium.
"It was unbelievable to be honest. Probably one of the best surfaces we've played this season," he said.
"So credit to the stadium and the grounds people there that looked after it very well."
United face Phoenix at UTAS Stadium on Thursday night at 7.05pm, with two curtain raisers beforehand between two select Tasmanian squads.
A selected senior and youth women's squads will face two of Victoria's Calder United squad, with the youth game kicking off at 1.45pm and the senior match at 4.15pm.
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