Tasmania looking for a key defender to replace Harrison Gunther for its representative clash with VFL team Sandringham at UTas Stadium this weekend

Devils coach Jeromey Webberley has named the three players in line to replace a Tasmanian defensive “rock” in the clash with VFL team Sandringham in Launceston this weekend. See who.

Tasmanian defender Harrison Gunther talks to fellow backmen in the state game against Frankston at North Hobart Oval. Gunther will miss the Devils clash with Sandringham on Sunday through injury. Picture Linda Higginson Solstice Digital

Tasmania has been struck a blow ahead of its Devils academy clash with VFL team Sandringham at UTas Stadium on Sunday with the loss of key defender Harrison Gunther to injury.

Named among Tasmania’s best in its narrow loss to Frankston at North Hobart Oval last month, Gunther strained a hamstring in Glenorchy’s loss to Kingborough at the Twin Ovals on Saturday.

Early reports indicate he could be in for a month-long stay on the sidelines and state coach Jeromey Webberley is now looking to replace for his centre half-back for the third of the Devils’ five representative games this year.

“He will be unavailable this week and my understanding is that it’s on the minor side and that generally means three or four weeks,” Webberley said.

“There are a few guys within the squad we can replace him with.

“Young Archie Wilkinson from Launceston has been going really well in the Premier League up there.

“We’ve got Baker Smith down here in the south, a teammate of Harrison Gunther at Glenorchy, and Max Mapley from Clarence, who missed the last interstate game through injury.

Baker Smith (Glenorchy) tackles Will Clifford (Kingborough). The big Magpie could get his call-up as a Devils key defender against Sandringham at UTas Stadium this weekend. Picture: Caroline Tan

“So there’s some guys we can put down there.

“We’ve just got to work our way through selection now.”

Tasmania’s team is scheduled for release on Wednesday and Webberley flagged changes are coming.

“We are looking to provide opportunities for more players, that’s essentially what this program is about,” he said.

“We obviously want to win games of footy and be competitive. But it’s also about putting individuals on show.

‘So there will be some changes, no doubt, and some are going to be forced through injury and then there will be players who get their opportunity through the course of this process as well.”

Tasmania squad members trained with their clubs on Monday night.

Webberley will put his players through their paces at an all-in state training run at UTas Stadium at 6pm on Tuesday.

“We will select the team post-training, announce the team on Wednesday,” he said.

“They will then return to their clubs for the Thursday session and then launch into the Sunday game.”

Sandringham has a bye in the VFL this week.

Among its players is Tasmanian Arie Schoenmaker, who was drafted by St Kilda with their final selection in the 2023 AFL draft, at pick 62 overall.