Launceston Council sends helicopter to help dry out Windsor Park ahead of TSL finals

A Tasmanian Council has left no stone unturned to ensure its oval is in pristine condition for Saturday’s TSL final after recent criticism of the state of the ground.

A COUNCIL ordered helicopter brought into Windsor Park on Wednesday to help dry the ground has left Launceston coach Mitch Thorp in no doubt his impenetrable fortress is cherry ripe for Saturday’s TSL final.

The all conquering Blues finished eight points clear on top of the ladder to wrap up the minor premiership — and with it earn a home final against arch rivals North Launceston.

Launceston is unbeaten at Windsor Park in 2021 and boasts an average winning margin of a staggering 93.3 points.

However questions were raised by Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy recently about the suitability of the surface being up to scratch for State League football after sand was shipped in to help combat the smell from mud.

Last week Thorp dismissed the comments as a “storm in a teacup”, but the Launceston Council has gone to extra length to ensure the venue is primed to take centre stage by sending in the chopper.

“Jamie our groundsman was pretty disappointed with some of the comments after the Glenorchy game, he has gone to every length to make sure the ground is suitable, which it is,” Thorp said.

“There has been a lot of hype around a ground that has held up really well over a number of years, its all been ticked off and it’s right to go at 12.45 on Saturday.”

The Blues will start raging favourites to move directly into the grand final, having accounted for the Bombers twice this year and dishing out a 53-point hiding in round 15 at Windsor.

Thorp said there was no extra secret to his side’s success on home turf other than the familiarity any club gets inside its own four walls.

Mitch Thorp’s TSL minor premier outfit will host cross town rivals North Launceston at Windsor Park on Saturday. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Most teams tailor their game style and strategy around their home ground, we have some variety in the grounds we have in the TSL, you have big grounds and then you have North Hobart which is quite small, and they obviously tailor their plans for.

“In theory each club plays pretty well at home, we have had a pretty strong year across the board, we’ve only dropped two games.

“Pre-season alone you spend a lot of time on the your home ground and you get used to the parts of the ground you can attack from and the parts you can defend from as well.”

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