A "definitely draftable" 16-year-old and a hardworking ruckman have won call-ups for Launceston's Anzac Day clash at North Hobart.
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Playing in the under-18s competition two weeks ago, Colby McKercher will make his senior debut after impressing with four goals in the development league last weekend.
Runner-up to South Launceston's Tom Beaumont in the NTJFA under-16 division one best and fairest last season, the Kings Meadows High student will split his game time between the midfield, wing and forward line on debut.
"Footy's uncomplicated for Colby at the moment - he's 16 years old and green as a grasshopper," Blues coach Mitch Thorp said.
"He's very similar to Jay Blackberry at the same age - he's got elite speed, he's a great kick, he's an infectious personality and he's picked himself ahead of four or five Devils players that are playing current Devils footy.
'We feel like he's definitely a draftable kid that this competition will provide a great opportunity for him to start playing senior footy and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do on the weekend."
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The Blues have also recalled ex-captain and 2020 Rodney Eade Medallist Hamish Leedham for his first senior game in more than a year following six goals in two games.
The 198cm ruckman was pursued by Clarence and several NTFA clubs in the off-season but elected to fight for his place at Windsor Park.
"To his credit he's put his head down bum up - he missed out on the first two games but now he's back in and I know he's really excited," Thorp said.
"As a 26-year-old that's played 100 senior games ... it's nice to be able to bring someone of that calibre back into the senior fold.
"We're not giving games away - we've got a lot of Devils guys back available who won't play this week and Hamish has forced our hand.
"His first two weeks in the development league have been really strong and he's picked himself."
Zach Morris comes in as the Blues' third inclusion with young defenders Miller Hodge (concussion) and Jacob Boyd (knee) hopeful of returning next week and Jake Hinds (suspension) to miss the next two games.
Hinds and Jobi Harper's unavailability means vice-captain Joe Groenewegen, who is set to spend more time forward given Leedham's inclusion, will captain the Blues for the first time.
Midfielder Fletcher Seymour (knee) remains another month away while Sunday's meeting with North Hobart could mark the last weekend coaching on the sidelines for Thorp (suspension).
"We're fully aware that North Hobart have got all their Devils back so we're certainly not taking them lightly given the challenges we've got with our squad," Thorp said.
"North Hobart are a proud club on a very big day (Anzac Day) so we're expecting a fierce contest."
The game starts at 3pm.
FULL TEAMS
NORTH HOBART
- B: T. Millhouse, B. Young, K. Ryan
- HB: H. Williams, C. Kilpatrick, H. Williams
- C: C. Smith, S. Caswell, D. White
- HF: B. Griggs, T. Liefhebber, J. McCulloch
- F: J. Colgrave, A. Norton, N. Jackson
- R: L. Elphinstone, J. Sandric, F. Poke
- Int: S. Banks-Smith, R. Higgins, I. Mathewson, L. Rowlands
- Emg: J. Bingham, M. Campbell, J. Hilder, M. Yates
In: R. Higgins, L. Elphinstone, K. Ryan, I. Mathewson, D. White,
Out: J. Barwick, J. Bingham, N. Hardy, J. Hilder, A. Keeling
LAUNCESTON
- B: J. Dowling, J. House, J. Tuthill
- HB: J. Smith, A. Wright, J. Woolley
- C: C. Brown, J. Blackberry, B. Palfreyman
- HF: M. Musicka, J. Groenewegen, B. Taylor
- F: G. Holt, C. Thorp, D. Riley
- R: H. Leedham, C. McKercher, B. Pitcher
- Int: J. Donnellan, T. Miller, Z. Morris, B. Pearce
- Emg: S. Foley, B. Gillow, J. Hinds, C. Riethoff
In: Z. Morris, C. McKercher, H. Leedham
Out: J. Hinds, J. Boyd, M. Hodge
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
