Glenorchy star defender Daniel Joseph almost ready for TSL comeback from knee surgery

Daniel Joseph played one game and one quarter of last TSL season before a knee injury wrecked his career. There’s now only one thing standing between “DJ” from his long-awaited comeback.

Football. Tasmanian State League. Qualifying final. Glenorchy V Launceston. Dylan Riley Launceston and Daniel Joseph Glenorchy. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

IT was oh so close for one of the TSL’s best key defenders but in the end Glenorchy decided not to risk center half-back Daniel Joseph in the opening round of the Covid-19 compacted season against Launceston at KGV tomorrow.

After a year and a half on the sidelines, Joseph is almost ready to return.

Along with Magpies skipper Brayden Webb, another key defender Harrison Gunther and recruit Chris Howard, Joseph is out of the season starter.

“They are all still recovering from various things,” said Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy.

“’DJ’ was the closest of that group to being back – he was close.

“He called me yesterday and he’s got the all-clear from the surgeon.

• Blow for Pies as key defender grounded for season
• It’s all bad news for Glenorchy’s TSL captain Brayden Webb and his injured knee
• Brayden Webb back for record-equalling sixth season as captain of TSL club Glenorchy

(L-R) Josh Arnold, coach Paul Kennedy, captain Brayden Webb and Daniel Joseph. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“He will probably play half a game in the Development League this week, so that’s exciting.

“Now it’s a case of getting him to the point where he is comfortable to go out and play a full game of senior footy.

“Hopefully that is just a week or two weeks away.”

North Launceston starts its title defence without premiership defender Arion Richter-Salter and midfielder Tom Donnelly in its UTas Stadium date with North Hobart.

“Arion has had an interrupted preseason since going over to the VFL and then returning, so he won’t be available for the first week and we’re unsure about the second,” said Bombers coach Taylor Whitford.

“Tom Donnelly had a really good preseason but has had a little bit of a niggle in the past few weeks so we’ve pulled him back for round one but he’ll be right for round two.”

The Demons named star VFL recruits Baxter Norton and Jack Sandric, and have a full complement of Tasmania Devils under-18 players to boost the talent pool.

Lauderdale brought in recruits Nick Connor (St Marys, Geelong) and Adrian Kalcovski (Vermont, Melbourne) for its clash with Clarence at Lauderdale Oval.

Roos gun recruit Josh Green will miss round one after the former Brisbane and Essendon AFL player took a heavy knock to the face in an intra-club game at the Roos’ new home ground, Richmond.

SELECTED SIDES FOR Tasmanian State League (TSL) > TASMANIAN STATE LEAGUE

GLENORCHY v. LAUNCESTON Round 1 - 11/07/2020

1PM at KGV

Glenorchy

B: J. Arnold, B. Williams, S. Rundle

HB: M. Dilger, J. Bowden, Z. Webster

C: R. Banks-Smith, J. Geard, N. Blowfield

HF: C. Daly, A. Grace, A. Roberts

F: J. Webb, M. Joseph, J. Whitford

R: J. Deegan, M. Rainbird, B. Kamaric

Int: D. Brown, R. Dilger, R. Mott, B. Patterson

Emg: D. Coppleman, Z. Evans-fenton, R. Oakley, B. Simpson

Launceston

B: C. Brown, J. Smith, S. Williams

HB: M. Hodge, J. House, R. Tyrrell

C: J. Blackberry, J. Harper, B. Palfreyman

HF: J. Hinds, M. Thorp, A. Wright

F: J. Donnellan, D. Riley, G. Holt

R: H. Leedham, F. Seymour, J. Dakin

Int: J. Boyd, T. Miller, B. Pearce, B. Taylor

Emg: T. Auckland, T. Bristow, I. Chugg, J. Gillow

LAUDERDALE v. CLARENCE Round 1 - 11/07/2020

2PM at Skybus Oval

Lauderdale

B: N. Connors, O. Shaw, W. Francis

HB: N. Baker, J. McGuinness, P. Bellchambers

C: R. Sutton, S. Burge, J. Williams

HF: R. McManus, T. Martin, S. Siggins

F: J. Dance, J. Westell, T. Havea

R: H. Smith, N. Franklin, B. Walsh

Int: L. Gallagher, A. Hevey, A. Kalcovski, N. Raglione

Emg: L. Arnold, B. Kingston, J. McDonald, B. Steinbauer

Clarence

B: J. Bealey, Z. Buechner, D. Howlett

HB: T. Hanslow, S. Green, K. Wylie

C: B. Jones, E. Jackson, J. Webberley

HF: H. Burgess, J. Bailey, K. Howlett

F: J. Harper, N. Holmes, L. Swinton

R: R. Bailey, O. Davis, J. Preshaw

Int: S. Banks, O. Paprotny, O. Preshaw, C. Riley

Emg: J. Barwick, A. Butterworth, S. Lewis-Johnson, W. Wall

NORTH LAUNCESTON v. NORTH HOBART Round 1 - 11/07/2020

2:30PM at UTAS Stadium

North Launceston

B: J. Avent, C. Nankervis, B. van Buuren

HB: J. Foon, C. Young, M. Walsh

C: L. Davies, B. Cox-Goodyer, B. Simpson

HF: W. Edmunds, J. Callow, S. Egger

F: Z. Burt, T. Bennett, B. McCulloch

R: A. Lee, J. Ponting, T. Whitford

Int: F. Bennett, L. Cocker, M. Cossins, O. Sanders

Emg: J. Curran, N. Pearce, J. Rushton, D. Withers

North Hobart

B: C. Kilpatrick, B. Walker, J. Sandric

HB: S. Collins, H. Williams, H. Williams

C: J. Menzie, J. Charlton, B. Norton

HF: M. Fisher, J. Steele, N. Lee

F: J. Fisher, S. Willis, T. Reeves

R: H. Allan, T. Cunliffe, N. McCulloch

Int: S. Caswell, W. Peppin, P. Walker, M. Yates

Emg: M. Bidgood, N. Hardy, G. Mcleod, K. Ryan