Glenorchy look to maintain the perfect start as they now prepare for its biggest rivals

Glenorchy skipper Harrison Gunther has given an insight into the “pretty intense” game which awaits his side this weekend as they look to maintain a perfect start to the season. See what he said.

Glenorchy will need to be at its ‘very best’ when it takes on the club’s biggest rival on Saturday.

Coming off a 31-point victory over Brighton on Friday night, the Magpies will host North Hobart in the first home game of the season at KGV.

Captain Harrison Gunther said it’s one of the biggest rivalries in the competition.

“We have rivalries with other clubs, but this one against North Hobart is the biggest I have seen for our club,” Gunther said.

“It doesn’t matter where we are on the ladder or how we went last week, this is usually a pretty intense matchup.

“It is one of those ones where you just eye off and we are pretty lucky to get it early in the season.

“They had a good win over the weekend, so we know they will be up and about and we will need to be at our very best to beat them.

“The boys are better for having the hit out on Friday night against Brighton, that was a very good contest and they did surprise us a little.

Glenorchy captain Harrison Gunther opens up on the rivalry against North Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We knew they were going to be hungry and come at us and at times they had the better of us.

“But it was great from our playing group to be able to identify that and get the game back on our terms.”

The Magpies played North Hobart in round 2 last season with Glenorchy getting up by 10 points.

In the past two years, the ledger sits in favour of the Demons 4-2.

Gunther was named one of the Magpies best in the season opener at Pontville Oval.

It is the first time since July 2023 which Glenorchy have played a Friday night clash, the last time coming against Clarence in the now disbanded TSL.

The Magpies played on Anzac Day Thursday in 2024 and on Anzac Day Tuesday in 2023.

Gunther said he wouldn’t mind a few more Friday night stand-alone games.

The annual matchup against Kingborough will be played again this year, coming on Friday, April 25.

“I have played a few, I think a few of the boys played in their first one against Brighton,” Gunther said.

Players try to keep the ball alive during the SFL Premier League opening round matchup between Brighton and Glenorchy at Pontville Oval. Picture: Jake Garland

“It’s one of those things, if the ground is suitable for night games, then I think Friday night showed why it can work.

“People can come down after work and enjoy watching the one game rather than trying to get to this game and then another game on the same day.

“As players it is a bit different with how you prepare, usually you wake up Saturday morning and get into your routine for the game.

“But this way, some players work during the day and have to prepare differently.”

Bounce down for the much anticipated rivalry is at 1:30pm on Saturday April 12.