Glenorchy faces three tough TSL games, starting with Lauderdale

Glenorchy believes it has the right stuff to challenge for the TSL premiership this State League season. This is why its next three games will show the Pies’ true colours.

Bryce Walsh tackles Harrison Gunther in the Bombers-Pies clash last month. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE next three games could decide Glenorchy’s premiership credentials starting with TSL ladder leader Lauderdale at Lauderdale Oval on Saturday, says Magpies coach Paul Kennedy.

Fresh off the bye, Glenorchy faces a triple threat — the Bombers and North Launceston both on the road and then its Round 9 conqueror Launceston at home.

Glenorchy was plagued by injury in the first half of the season, including concerns with the ankle of ace goalkicker Jaye Bowden, which has “PK” satisfied that the Pies are parked in third on the ladder, which includes inflicting Lauderdale’s only loss of the season at KGV in Round 7.

“Given the run we’ve had, it was a good effort for our Development League team to be 8-1 and the seniors to be 7-2 at the bye,” Kennedy said. “It meant the boys could enjoy a bit of a break and then we have to be switched on again, because all we’d done was set ourselves up for a run in the second half of the year.

“It’s like another season starts now. We’ve put ourselves in a good spot, but there are a few big tests coming up.”

TSL FOOTY IS TOUGH AT THE ‘TIP’

Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

After Glenorchy “shut the place down for a week and a half” for the mid-season break, the Magpies will try to do what no team has been able to this season — beat Lauderdale on its home deck — before going on to meet what Kennedy says is the best side in the league.

“It’s a huge challenge to go there [Lauderdale] and win,” Kennedy said. “You make a huge statement about who you are if you can go there and win and that’s what we’re looking to do. It’s great playing against those guys, but North Launceston are still the benchmark, there’s no doubt about that.

“For two years in a row now Lauderdale have been second in line, and this year they are making a really strong case.

“They’ve got a heap of talent, they’ve been together a long time, their system is good, it’s well-entrenched, it has been drilled into them, and it suits that ground really well. The boys are primed for the challenge and we’re up for it.”