Launceston has increased its onball and rucking firepower for new TSL season

Eight new senior players – including two formidable ruckmen – have boosted Launceston’s TSL premiership credentials for the upcoming season.

Launceston TSL. Jay Blackberry, Mitch Thorp (coach) and Jobi Harper (captain). Picture: RICHARD JUPE

LAUNCESTON is bringing an improved line-up to the 2020 TSL season and looms as a real threat to the rest of the competition.

RELATED: Tigers season preview

Senior coach: Mitch Thorp

Senior captain: Jobi Harper

Last year: 3rd (13-7)

2019 best and fairest: Fletcher Seymour

2019 leading goalkicker: Mitch Thorp (41)

Gains: Jake Hinds (Southport), Tim Auckland (Central Districts), Michael Musika (St Helens), Jameson House (Woodville-West Torrens), Julian James (St Pats), Bowen Pearce (South Launceston), Joe Gronewegen (Army) Stuart Williams (overseason)

Losses: Simon Vandervelde (University, Old Scholars), Ben Killalea (retired).

• TSL reduces game time for the COVID-19 shortened season
• TSL coaches to decide an increase to a 23-man bench for compacted State League season
• Tasmania’s AFL Draft hopes must get themselves noticed in TSL

From left, Dylan Riley, Mitch Thorp and Fletcher Seymour celebrate a goal last season. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THREE TO WATCH:

Alec Wright: He’s a key position forward who is very strong overhead and his aerobic capacity is as good as it gets for big men in the TSL. Will cause opposition backs problems if let off the hook.

Jay Blackberry: We did not see the best of him last year on his return from a knee reconstruction. Has played 190 senior games and kicked 183 goals. Will return to a formidable midfield with Jobi Harper, Fletcher Seymour and Tim Bristow.

Tim Auckland: The promising teenager has played 12 senior games as a ruckman for Central Districts in the SANFL. Is a powerhouse tall and gives Launceston a daunting ruck combination with returning Joe Groenewegen.

COACH SAYS: “We need to get better. We certainly improved as the year went on last season and we were around the mark come the finals when we found our right team balance. Our young blokes down back did a fantastic job – Hodge, Tyrrell, Tuthill and Boyd. We need those guys now with a year under their belt to develop and give us that rebound we need off half-back.”

PREDICTION: The Blues have picked up eight proven senior players and lost only two – a huge gain for a team that was one win away from a spot in the grand final last year. Launceston has one of the most feared onball units in the TSL and its forward line needs to produce more to make it a premiership threat. A definite grand final contender.