Glenorchy turns to former Hobart Chargers development player as first choice ruckman

Five years ago James Deegan was learning the ropes for the Hobart Chargers in the SEABL as a development player. Now he is set to assume the No. 1 ruck mantle at Glenorchy in the TSL.

Glenorchy ruckman and former basketball player, James Deegan. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

GLENORCHY will bank on a former basketballer with only two senior TSL games experience to lead its ruck division in 2020 with premier big man Cameron Duffy unlikely to suit up.

James Deegan — who was a development player with the Hobart Chargers in the 2015 SEABL season — is set to be thrust into the No. 1 role for the Pies this season.

Premiership ruckman Duffy, who represented Tasmania in 2017 and finished fourth in the Alastair Lynch medal count in 2018, has not officially been ruled out from returning, but coach Paul Kennedy is planning for life beyond the tap specialist.

Cameron Duffy (front) battles Launceston’s Alec Wright last year. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

It leaves Deegan, who made his senior debut in round 14 last year against North Launceston and also featured in the last round against the Bombers, to assume the mantle.

“Deegs is into his fourth year and has worked his tail off to learn the game of footy, get himself into football shape and become a football athlete rather than a basketball athlete,” Kennedy said.

“He has been super impressive across the whole pre-season.

“Cam hasn’t completely closed the door on playing, he has just said at this stage he isn’t.”

Kennedy said Glenorchy will look slightly different at the stoppages due to the change in personnel, with Deegan bringing a different skill set to Duffy.

“We back him in, he is going to be a different type of ruckman, Duff when he is on gives some of the best silver service you will see.

“Deegs is more an in and under, follow up ground level ruckman.

“He is a different type of player and we have had to adjust how we will go about our stoppage play, but we feel he can give us a really nice element.”

One major benefits for the Pies with the shortened season will be the availability of some their blue chip talent coming off long term injuries.

Skipper Brayden Webb and star defender Daniel Joseph both missed either all or most of last season with knee injuries, recruit Chris Howard is coming off his own knee reconstruction while concussion issues cost Mitch Rainbird his entire 2019 season.

Key role players Matt Joseph and Matt Dilger also missed large chunks of last year.

“It certainly means we should have guys for a greater percentage of the season than we would have if it was a normal April to September season,” Kennedy said.