A new-look Glenorchy primed for SFL Premier League opener against Brighton under lights
One of Tasmania’s best defenders has been thrown into the Glenorchy captaincy for 2025 Premier League season. The coach opens up on the year ahead.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tasmania’s best key defender and a former South Adelaide utility has been named Glenorchy captain for its entry into the new-look SFL Premier League and Magpies coach Josh Arnold says his team has picked the right man for the job.
State centre half-back Harrison Gunther was overwhelming voted into the team’s top job by his teammates on Tuesday night as Glenorchy prepares to open the SFL season with its battle against Brighton under lights at Pontville on Friday night.
The match will not only see Brighton join the SFL’s top tier, it will also pit Arnold against his former coach at Glenorchy, now Robins coach Paul Kennedy.
“’PK’ was my coach for four years and he’s done a great job at Brighton and them entering into the Premier League competition is exciting for them as well,” Arnold said.
“It’s a great opportunity to come up against someone who coached us as a club.
“Now he’s on the other side of the fence so I’m looking forward to it, I’m sure it will be a great battle.”
Arnold said excitement was building for what could be the SFL’s newest rivalry.
“They’ve put up their hand to step up to this level and it’s going to be a massive game for Brighton footy club and their community playing against one of the TSL clubs.
“They will be pumped and excited for the game, as we are.
“We are really excited and grateful that we can kick-start the competition and kick-start the change in Tasmanian football, especially in the south of the state.”
Gunther will be backed up by vice-captains Isaac Manson and Keegan Wylie, while Braidy Simpson and Luke Nicholson make up the senior leadership group.
“Harrison is a quality leader, and this is his second hear back at the club and last year he led the boys superbly,” Arnold said.
“He’s been driving the boys all preseason on the track and off it, encouraging them to lift those standards and his leadership was proven in the votes.
“He leads by actions and by words, and you couldn’t ask for a better leader as a coach.”
After a couple of tough years to end the Tasmanian State League, the mood at Glenorchy has started to turn.
“We were a young side going through a rebuild phase,” Arnold said.
“At the end of last season we went after some guys and added experience like Keegan Wyllie and James Holmes, it has been fantastic for our group.
“There’s some real optimism around our group and some real excitement after a really big summer with some really good numbers on the track.
“It has created good competition for spots so it’s going to be a tough call at selection for our first game.”
On Saturday, the Premier League’s opening round continues with North Hobart playing the Tigers at North Hobart Oval and Lauderdale hosting Clarence at Lauderdale Oval.
The new Community League has one game this weekend _ Cygnet versus Claremont at Cygnet Oval at 2pm.
Watch now: Karana v Hawks, TNL Round 10
While it hasn’t been the start to 2025 they would’ve have liked, the Northern Hawks are hoping a switch in mindset can get them back on track against Karana. Watch the round 10 match LIVE.
Watch now: Dodges Ferry v Claremont, SFL Round 3
Claremont is chasing its first win of the season and the club is confident victory could come this Anzac Day weekend when it collides with Dodges Ferry. Watch it LIVE on Saturday.