TSL clubs happy with the draft roster for condensed State League season

A leading footy coach says after the “longest pre-season in history” the TSL season can’t come fast enough – and the draft roster says it will be here a week early.

TSL: Lauderdale vs Clarence, Lauderdale Oval: Lauderdale's Josh McGuinness looks to offload the ball. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE TSL clubs have been given a draft of the coronavirus-compacted State League season and say their players are jumping out of their skins after discovering the season will likely kick off a week early.

The season is almost certain to start on July 11 _ a week earlier than anticipated _ which eliminates the need for teams to play three games in an eight-day stretch.

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TSL – Lauderdale V Glenorchy – Sam Siggins of Lauderdale. Picture: LINDA HIGGINSON

Four southern teams need now play only one Wednesday night game, with the exception of Glenorchy, which does not have any midweek games in the draft.

“We were all for it starting early,” said Lauderdale coach Darren Winter.

“It’s fantastic for the players to give them an early start.

“We were actually planning to start on July 4 [two weeks earlier] but clubs thought that might have been too short a lead time into the season with full contact not being allowed until next Friday.

“The players will be happy just to get it under way.”

Winter doubts his players will be 100 per cent battle-ready.

“I don’t think so, but we will be in the same boat as everyone else,” he said.

“We’ll all be a little bit underdone with the contact part of the game.

“It’s been the longest pre-season in history so everyone is just keen to get back out there and have a bit of fun.”

The shortened TSL season is officially slated to run from July 18 to October 18, and allows for each team to play each other twice, with a two-week finals series.