Glenorchy desperate to bounce back from worst season in more than two decades

Glenorchy sunk to a low it had not experienced in more than 20 years last season when it finished with the TSL wooden spoon. With no Jaye Bowden, the rise of the Pies will rest on youngsters

• Former Collingwood rookie becomes TSL Pie
• Glenorchy ace flies Magpies nest

A NEW era will begin at Glenorchy in 2021, with club and TSL legend Jaye Bowden retiring after one of the most decorated careers in Tasmanian football. The return of several stars from year long injury lay-offs softens the blow, as the Pies look to bounce back from their first wooden spoon in more than two decades.

Glenorchy leaders for the TSL season from left Tom Cleary, Brayden Webb, Darrean Wyatt and Ben Kamaric. Picture: Richard Jupe

Senior coach: Paul Kennedy

Senior captains: Brayden Webb & Josh Arnold

Last year: 7th (3 wins 9 losses)

2020 best & fairest: Josh Arnold

2020 leading goalkicker: Jaye Bowden (17)

Gains: Chris Howard (injury), Brayden Webb (injury), Harrison Gunther (injury), Darrean Wyatt (Frankston/Noble Park), Bayley Bester (Claremont), Nick Reibelt (Coburg/Eltham)

Losses: Mitch Rainbird (Clarence), Jaye Bowden (St Virgil’s), Aiden Grace (Central Districts), Ryan Banks-Smith (Aspley)

THREE TO WATCH

Harrison Gunther: One of several Pies to miss the entire 2020 campaign following a knee injury a month out from the 2019 finals, Gunther will be eager to regain his electric best. The key defender was a stand-in skipper before his injury and is also set to feature in some VFL matches for North Melbourne this year.

Harrison Gunther returns for Glenorchy after missing the entire 2020 season. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Darrean Wyatt: Glenorchy will have high hopes one of its interstate recruits can have an immediate impact in the TSL. A mobile 204cm big man from a basketball background, Wyatt spent a season on Collingwood’s AFL list and his versatility could be a big weapon.

Ben Kamaric: The 2019 club best and fairest was restricted to just five matches last year as he battled a hamstring strain. The absence of the midfield bull was noticeable with the side already missing a host of first choice starters and a return to his best will go a long way to lifting the Pies back into finals contention.

COACH SAYS

“The sharpness and intensity at pre-season has been fantastic, the guys are pretty driven to make sure we get back to the form we usually show on the field. The next generation is now having to step up at our club, and they are. Having a down year last year has really lit the fire for people wanting to make a difference and set standards.”

PREDICTION

Everything that could have gone wrong in 2020 did for the Pies, with just four players featuring in all 12 games and the club finishing on the bottom of the ladder for the first time in more than 20 years. Talisman Jaye Bowden is gone, and how quickly the next crop of youngsters pick up the slack will determine whether the side can push to be in the finals mix.

Pies coach Paul Kennedy. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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