TSL Football: 2018 Club guide — North Hobart

NORTH Hobart is back in its rightful place in the TSL and armed with new coach Richard Robinson, a new era at the club is beginning. ADAM SMITH reports.

Coach Hugh Williams, left, coach Richard Robertson and Nathan McCulloch are gearing up for North Hobart's TSL footy effort. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

NORTH Hobart is back in its rightful place in the TSL and armed with a new coach in former premiership player Richard Robinson, a new era at the club is beginning. The loss of last year’s top two in the best and fairest is a significant blow, but with a host of juniors in the academy programs, the building blocks are in place for a swift turnaround, although there will be some inconsistency along the way.

Senior coach: Richard Robinson

Senior captain: Hugh Williams

Last year: 6th (9-9)

Last senior flag: 2003 (SFL)

2017 best and fairest: Ryan Matthews

2017 leading goalkicker: Josh Williamson (34)

Gains: Nathan McCulloch (Melbourne), Brad Tilbury, Will Burgess (Hutchins), Cooper Leake (Clarence), Michael Woods (Hobart), Geoff Unsworth (returning)

Losses: Ryan Matthews, Will Campbell, Blake Grant, Nic Hutchinson (Tigers), Josh Williamson (Uni Melbourne), Callen Dell, Eddie Cole (Western Sydney), Nik Baker (Lauderdale)

Season fixture

Round 1 v Tigers (North Hobart Oval) Mar 30, 3:05pm

Round 2 v Launceston (Windsor Park) Apr 7, 2pm

Round 3 v Clarence (North Hobart Oval) Apr 14, 2:30pm

Round 4 v Glenorchy (KGV) Apr 20, 7pm

Round 5 v North Launceston (North Hobart Oval) Apr 28, 2pm

Round 6 v Lauderdale (North Hobart Oval), May 5, 2pm

Round 7 Bye

Round 8 v Tigers (Twin Ovals) May 20, 2pm

Round 9 v Launceston (North Hobart Oval) May 26, 2pm

Round 10 v Clarence (Blundstone Arena) Jun 2, 2pm

Round 11 v North Launceston (UTAS Stadium) Jun 9, 2pm

Round 12 v North Launceston (North Hobart Oval) Jun 16, 2pm

Round 13 v Lauderdale (Lauderdale), Jun 23, 2pm

Round 14 Bye

Round 15 v Tigers (North Hobart Oval) Jul 7, 2pm

Round 16 v Launceston (Windsor Park) Jul 15, 2pm

Round 17 v Clarence (Blundstone Arena) Jul 21, 2pm

Round 18 v Glenorchy (KGV) Jul 28, 7pm

Round 19 v North Launceston (North Hobart Oval) Aug 4, 2pm

Round 20 v Lauderdale (North Hobart Oval), Aug 11, 2pm

Round 21 Bye

Baxter Norton is likely to be a handy pick up for the Demons. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Three to watch

1. Nathan McCulloch: Returns to the Demons in a huge boost for the club. McCulloch is a versatile player who can play in a variety of positions, is a hard contested type who breaks lines with his leg speed and uses the footy exceptionally well. He will also add some much needed leadership to a young squad.

2. Baxter Norton: Has added considerable size to his frame in the last 12 months and looks set for a real breakout year if he can add a contested football component to his outside speed. The classy left-footer will be unavailable for portions of season due to Mariners duties, but will be a very important player in the Demons midfield when back.

3. The general of the team. Williams has increased his running load in the pre-season, which will enable him to be a player at each end of the ground. His leadership has been outstanding and has stepped into an assistant coaching role, which will only take his on field leadership to another level.

Coach says:

“There is a really good vibe around the club and everyone is passionate about playing footy for North Hobart again, the commitment level has been awesome. We are a very young group, and one thing we do know is we are going to play a very exciting brand of footy, but also we will be defensively minded.” — Richard Robinson

Prediction:

The future of the Demons — if they can hang on to all their talented juniors — looks bright with the club armed with the most youngsters in the state under 16 and 18 programs. Unfortunately with the loss of several senior stars from last season, it’s hard to see the side featuring in this year’s finals, but under respected football figure Robinson they could be a surprise packet in the second half of the year.