It was around the same time last season that Launceston unveiled the secret weapon in its arsenal - VFL midfielder Tim Jones.
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This year, the Blues are hoping a not-so-secret weapon can add fresh drive to their premiership push.
Having missed all but two games of 2021, Blues skipper and reigning TSL player of the year Jobi Harper will be available for the remainder of the season, starting with Saturday's home clash with North Hobart.
Formerly an electrician, Harper began the year with a 15-week firefighting course in Cambridge, keeping he and Kingborough's ex-AFL defender Marcus Davies out of the opening 10 rounds.
The 27-year-old is loving the change in career, and is looking forward to returning to the field this weekend.
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"It's been awesome, it doesn't feel like work at all. It feels like a hobby but getting paid for it," Harper said of his new career.
"It's awesome to be able to help people and be part of a team environment on a day-to-day basis.
"At this stage I'm still new with the firefighting so I don't really miss the tools too much at the moment - I'm just getting used to the shift work and the rotating roster.
"The majority of the skills I'm learning are all brand new - I'm kind of like an apprentice again."
The Blues have largely been skippered by Jake Hinds in Harper's absence, with the two-time Darrel Baldock Medallist helping in the coaches' box for the opening eight games.
Harper admitted to having "itchy feet" watching from the sidelines, but said he had been impressed by the growth in his side's younger stars.
"A few of the guys in their early 20s have jumped out of the box and are having really good seasons," Harper said.
"Jake Hinds, Alec Wright, Jack Tuthill - those types of players have really turned into men and they're playing really good men's football and consistent football.
"Also the addition of Fletcher [Seymour] in the last month or so has been pretty good around the football as well as Jay Blackberry being the best player in the comp at the moment."
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One of the TSL's longest-serving players, Blackberry leads the player of the year award with four games to go.
Like Hinds, the veteran has enjoyed extra midfield time in his captain's absence, while also getting forward to hit the scoreboard.
"I reckon Jay's been an under-rated player for a lot of years - he's a silky smooth mover and kicks the ball really well," Harper said.
"He doesn't need a lot of possessions to damage you and put teams away, but this year he's getting a lot of possessions.
"The way he uses the football - he's so smart and has such good leadership ... I do think it's the best year I've seen him play.
"At the same time, I think he's been under-rated for a lot of years and it's only just now that people are starting to realise how good Jay actually is."
The past seven player of the year awards have been shared between Launceston, North Launceston and Glenorchy.
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
