Launceston coach Mitch Thorp believes the round eight loss to North Launceston could be exactly what his side needed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coasting through the opening block of fixtures, the Blues were shown to be mortal when North overcame a 21-point first-term deficit to win by 15.
Thorp said the match proved a point to critics of the TSL and called for his side to bounce back in Saturday's trip to Kingborough.
"The loss gave us an opportunity to reflect and educate and show if we're not on our game you can get beaten," Thorp said.
"I think there's been some naive comments that this season was just written down for a Launceston premiership and I think that was pretty disrespectful to North Launceston and probably to Clarence as well.
"We don't like losing but it's unrealistic to think we're probably going to win every week ... we've got some work to do and oddly enough for me as the coach it's probably a good thing.
"Sometimes a smack between the eyes is exactly what a playing group needs so I'm looking forward to a good response."
The Blues have swung six changes, with Colby McKercher managed, Bowen Pearce and Tyson Miller omitted, Cody Thorp suspended and James Dowling (knee surgery) injured.
Brayden Pitcher will miss two weeks in quarantine after getting stuck in Victoria.
Devils quartet Zach Morris, Bailey Gillow, Jonty McIvor and debutant Liam Jones come in after the latter pair impressed with four goals and 16 touches respectively in the clash with Northern Territory.
Ruck Hamish Leedham is also back while coach Thorp will play his first game of 2021 after a number of weeks listed as an emergency.
"I've been training for a little while now and I'm sick to death of running," Thorp said.
"With Cody going out it opens a spot and I'm actually excited about playing footy.
"The grand final was my last game so I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing with my little mate Dyl [Dylan Riley].
"Dyl and I have got a good relationship on the field and obviously off the field so I'm looking forward to playing footy with him again in particular."
MORE FOOTY: Tassie open to more AFL matches: Gutwein
Joe Groenwegen keeps his place despite suffering a hand injury against North.
"Joe's good - he's a tough bugger," Thorp said.
"He went to hospital and he's actually going to play this week. He's a pretty brave boy - he got through the game with a hand the size of a football.
"The bye's come at a good time and it's settled to the point now where our physio is happy for him to play."
The game starts at 2pm.
FULL TEAMS
KINGBOROUGH v LAUNCESTON
Kingston Twin Ovals, 2pm Saturday
KINGBOROUGH
- B: L. Gadomski, M. Reynolds, B. Rees
- HB: B. Donnelly, B. McCulloch, E. Reardon
- C: Z. Adams, L. Clifford, L. Griggs
- HF: S. Duigan, M. Collidge, T. Wright
- F: R. Ashlin, C. Sawdy, L. Graham
- R: M. Gardner, W. Campbell, E. Cole
- Int: A. Bessell, W. Clifford, P. Reihana, S. Rice
- Emg: S. Dickson, J. Doran, J. Keogh, J. Pride
In: S. Rice
Out: T. Dwyer
LAUNCESTON
- B: Z. Morris, J. House, J. Tuthill
- HB: M. Hodge, A. Wright, J. Woolley
- C: C. Brown, J. Hinds, J. Smith
- HF: J. Blackberry, J. Groenewegen, B. Taylor
- F: M. Musicka, M. Thorp, D. Riley
- R: H. Leedham, B. Palfreyman, L. Jones
- Int: J. Donnellan, B. Gillow, G. Holt, J. McIvor
- Emg: S. Foley, C. McKercher, T. Miller, B. Pearce
In: Z. Morris, M. Thorp, H. Leedham, L. Jones, B. Gillow, J. McIvor
Out: T. Miller, J. Dowling, B. Pearce, C. Thorp, B. Pitcher, C. McKercher
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
