North Hobart set to unveil six recruits in its SFL Premier League opener against Kingborough Tigers

North Hobart will unveil a former VFL player and new star forward, among a raft of recruits to take on the Tigers. See where the new faces could have an impact.

North Hobart vice-captain Tom Reeves in full flight for Tasmania against Norwood. Picture Linda Higginson Solstice Digital

A former VFL player now Tasmania academy team forward will be among six of North Hobart recruits for the Demons’ SFL Premier League season opener against Kingborough at North Hobart on Saturday.

After playing in both of Tasmania’s representative games against Norwood and Frankston, lightning-fast Tom Reeves has been injected into North Hobart’s new-look onball crew to take on the Tigers.

Reeves was one of Tasmania’s outstanding young talents when he moved to Queensland to pursue a university degree following his last game for the Demons in 2019.

He returns as North Hobart vice-captain to skipper Bailey Walker, with Fin Lapham, Fin Poke and Callum Kilpatrick as deputy vice-captains.

Dees coach Adam Bester said the club was delighted to have one of its favourite sons back in red and blue.

“Tom’s come back and bought into what we want to do and make the footy club better,” Bester said.

“He moved to Queensland to be a teacher, played VFL footy for Gold Coast and Southport, and it was time to move back.

“He’s played a couple of games for Tassie in the rep footy, and he will play in our midfield and go forward.

“He knows where the goals are and how to get his own footy, so he’s going to be a real asset for us going forward.”

Round 6 TSL match 2020, between Glenorchy v North Hobart from KGV. North Hobart's William Peppin and Glenorchy's Adam Roberts compete for the ball. Picture: Zak Simmonds

North Hobart’s opening side also includes Will Peppin (Aspley) and Sam Caswell (Palm Beach), both returning to the club from forays interstate.

Football. Tasmanian State League 2020. North Hobart V North Launceston. Sam Caswell North Hobart and Brad Cox-Goodyer North Launceston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“It’s a new competition and we’re a new-looking team,” Bester said.

“We’ve been working on a lot of things over the pre-season, we had a couple of really good hit-outs against Lindisfarne and Huonville where we could see the things we’ve been working on.

“We really want to elevate North Hobart and get it back to a team that is really competitive and one that really improves as the year goes on.

“In the past couple of seasons it has been about our youth coming through.

“Now we’ve got some experience around it, and we want to see that really accelerate this year.”

North Hobart has set a goal of packing its Ryde Street stand with a sea of red and blue for its first game in the SFL Premier League.

Lauderdale takes on Clarence at Lauderdale Oval, with both the Bombers and Roos under the guidance of new coaches.

Brent Dolliver has taken the reins at Lauderdale and Grant Fagan is now in charge at Clarence, and both will be looking to get their seasons away with a win.

Games start at 1.30pm.