A last-minute selection surprise might have caught Launceston napping but not enough to stop the Blues winning TSL opener

Glenorchy sprung a huge selection surprise on Launceston in their TSL season opener at KGV – but not even a proven ball magnet could stop the Blues.

Glenorchy’s James Deegan, left, and Launceston’s Hamish Leedham grapple as they contest the ball. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

NOT even a surprise “recruit” could stop Glenorchy from stumbling at the first hurdle at KGV on Saturday as the Magpies lost to imposing northern power Launceston in the opening game of the new-look, coronavirus-compacted TSL season.

The last-minute loss of top gun Jaye Bowden to a tight hamstring was off-set by his replacement Rhys Mott, who was loaned back to Glenorchy by his new club Ulverstone, which did not have a game to play on Saturday.

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Glenorchy’s Matthew Dilger pressures Launceston’s Casey Brown. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Mott gave the Magpies his usual inside ball-winning best and when Aiden Grace kicked the opening goal – and the first goal of the TSL season – the home side looked up and about.

But after a tight and scrappy first half, Launceston took control and was never threatened as the Magpies failed to score a goal after half-time and the Blues took it 7.13 (55) to 4.5 (29).

The game was a lock-out, reaching its 500-people venue capacity under the State Government’s stage three COVID-19 restrictions just before the bounce.

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It was a good day for Launceston coach Mitch Thorp, who had hoped for a good opening to the season and that’s what he got.

“Any win is a great start,” Thorp said.

“We did enough for long enough, and when the game was there to be won our competitors really stood out.”

It was the second time in a row Glenorchy has fallen to Launceston at home.

“When you play Launceston you’ve got to stick at the grind, you’ve got to be good at the grind, because that’s the way they play,” said Magpies coach Paul Kennedy.

“If you take out the third quarter we did that pretty well, but we need to do it for longer.”

Glenorchy’s backline was under siege in the second half while its forward line had its hands tied by Launceston’s tight defence.

Newly returned centre half-back Jamieson House was outstanding as was proven scrapper Jake Smith.

“Jake did a fantastic job on Grace,” Thorp said.

“He typifies what our brand is all about and his job on Grace was fantastic. I think that’s three in a row that he’s got him now.”