Departure of a dozen senior players leaves new North Hobart coach picking up the pieces

A patient rebuild around a crop of talented juniors was reaping rewards for North Hobart, but a wave of off season player departures has the club’s new coach facing a tough task in 2021

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North Hobart made big inroads early in 2020, defeating Lauderdale and pushing eventual premier Launceston to indicate the development under former coach Richard Robinson was coming to fruition. Work and family commitments saw Robinson step down and the departure of a host of players leaves replacement Clint French to pick up the pieces.

North Hobart coach Clinton French with the co-captains Hugh Williams and Jack Sandric. Picture: Richard Jupe

Senior coach: Clint French

Senior captains: Hugh Williams Jnr & Jack Sandric

Last year: 6th (3 wins 9 losses)

2020 best & fairest: Troy Cunliffe

2020 leading goalkicker: Julian Dobosz (14)

Gains: Dylan Ford (Brighton), Isaac Mathewson (Dodges Ferry), Jack Colegrave (Launceston)

Losses: Julian Dobosz (Melbourne), Jayden Charlton (Hobart), Hamish Allan (Sturt), Will Peppin (Aspley), Tom Reeves (Labrador), Sam Collins (Melbourne), Harry Ireland (University), Axel Moore (University), Troy Cunliffe (University), Baxter Norton (Clarence), Jake Steele (Clarence), Nathan McCulloch (DOSA)

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THREE TO WATCH

Callum Kilpatrick: North Hobart’s nomination for the North Melbourne’s VFL team, Kilpatrick has shown glimpses of his potential in the past few years. A big pre-season could see the versatile utility elevate his game to another level in 2021

North Hobart’s Callum Kilpatrick in action against Glenorchy last year. Picture Chris Kidd

Jack Sandric: After returning to Tasmania from Melbourne last year, Sandric has been elevated to a co-captaincy role this season. The tough midfielder will be heavily leaned on to show the ropes to a young group.

Jack McCulloch: A former Burnie premiership player, injuries restricted McCulloch to just three games last year. The key forward will get every opportunity to becomes the focal point in attack for the Dees.

COACH SAYS

“I believe strongly that we’ve got a fantastic group. Yes, definitely we’ve lost some players but I think most clubs have. We have our internal beliefs on what we want to achieve and the brand we want to play and the group that we’ve got there have worked really hard the last few months.”

PREDICTION

After years in the doldrums North Hobart looked like it was turning the corner last season with some encouraging performances. There’s no doubt the loss of a dozen senior players has set the club back, with French set the task of another rebuild.

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