Pies welcomes back internal “recruits” after TSL premiership tilt unravelled with injuries last year

Glenorchy’s “recruiting” campaign has centered around welcoming back star power from long term injuries as the Pies strive to match the TSL’s top three sides from 2019 this season

Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy alongside co-captains, Brayden Webb and Josh Arnold ahead of the TSL season. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

GLENORCHY has lost four straight finals since defeating Launceston in the qualifying final in 2018. Serious injuries to a host of elite level talent has crippled the Pies’ push for premiership glory, but ADAM SMITH isn’t prepared to write the club off this season.

Senior coach: Paul Kennedy

Senior captains: Brayden Webb & Josh Arnold

Last year: 4th (12 wins 8 losses)

2019 best & fairest: Ben Kamaric

2019 leading goalkicker: Aiden Grace (50)

Gains: Mitch Rainbird (injury), Daniel Joseph (injury), Chris Howard (University)

Losses: Rhys Mott (Ulverstone), Sam Hall (retired), Tim Butterworth (retired)

Glenorchy's Mitch Rainbird has not played since 2018 due to concussion symptoms. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

THREE TO WATCH

Mitch Rainbird: After missing all of 2019 with ongoing concussion issues, Rainbird will be a welcome return to the Pies nest. Is most notably a livewire forward with an uncanny goal sense but has elevated his fitness levels over the extended break and could be set for more midfield minutes.

Ryan Banks-Smith: Banks-Smith debuted at senior level for the Pies as a 15-year-old in 2016 and has worked his way into a regular in the midfield rotations. Spent some time in a run-with role last year due to injuries but is primed to elevate his game to another level this season.

Glenorchy is hoping Ryan Banks-Smith can continue his rise into a TSL star. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Josh Arnold: One of the most respected figures within the football club’s walls but Pies coach Paul Kennedy still believes the small defender continues to be undervalued from the outside. Has improved his fitness base and could spend some time further up the ground in 2020, a year in which he has been appointed co-captain.

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COACH SAYS

“In 2018 we let slip a chance to play in a grand final, last year we gave ourselves a chance to do that and copped some bad luck and didn’t quite execute in our final game the way we wanted to. We feel we have a good steady group who know each other, know how to play the game, know the TSL and have high standards. Our aims are high in 2020, as they are every year.”

PREDICTION

Do you dare write off a side which still has some of the best high end talent in the State League? Injuries cruelled Glenorchy last year and the side crashed out of the finals in straight sets. Not only do they regain stars in the likes of captain Brayden Webb, Mitch Rainbird and Daniel Joseph, the reduced season and game time arguably assists the veterans even more. However the Pies must find a way to close the gap on the two Launceston sides _ after defeating the Blues in round one they lost their remaining six matches by an average of 10 goals.