North Hobart’s toughest test: Lauderdale clash looms as Demons face selection crisis

North Hobart will face the biggest test in the SFL Premier League when it welcomes Lauderdale on Saturday and the Demons already have their back against the wall at the selection table.

North Hobart will face the biggest test in the SFL Premier League when it welcomes Lauderdale on Saturday and the Demons already have their back against the wall at the selection table.

North Hobart is confident it can cause a massive upset when it takes on one of the toughest teams in the SFL despite missing a third of their starting 22.

Eight Demons will play the clash against Lauderdale through school footy commitments and injury.

Demons assistant coach Zac Mastrocola said his side is capable of knocking off the Bombers.

“They are on top for a reason and you look across every line they are stacked,” Mastrocola said.

North Hobart premiership player Sam Gorringe presented James Wilson with his debut guernsey for the Demons side. Picture: Supplied

“Under no illusion that this is going to be a tough task but Glenorchy showed a couple weeks ago they are beatable, that’s something we will have a look at and see if we can replicate.

“We will have a couple out and then with Hutchins and Guildford playing school footy we will have about 10 or 12 players playing school footy as well.

“We will touch on our depth but our twos are on top by a game and a big percentage so it is something we have called upon this year and we will do it again.

“Seven or eight (expected out), but again we have rotated quite a few this year and everyone who has come in has been solid and buying in, so no excuses whoever does come in.”

The Demons are sitting third at 4-4 to start the season and will look to secure a top-four spot.

“I think it’s the best we have had for 10-15 years,” Mastrocola said.

“It’s something we’ve talked about, a good start, but something we want to continue on with and not just be happy with where we are at.

“Just some of the people we have brought in back to the club, North Hobart people and just our juniors who have come through a week or two, 20 of the 22 players are North Hobart juniors.

“So that is something we are pretty proud of and I think that is a big part of where we are going.”

North Hobart lost to the Bombers by 93-points in Round 4 and will be looking to level the ledger when the two sides meet at 1.30pm on Saturday at North Hobart Oval.