Turf war gets personal

THREE big rivalries kick off the 2018 TSL season and it doesn’t get any more personal than the Tigers-North Hobart.

After the rebranding from Hobart City to the traditional North Hobart, the Demons have lost not only a coach but seven players to the Tigers and now the two sides will face off on Good Friday at North Hobart Oval.

Richard Robinson will be coaching his first game in charge after he was appointed the North Hobart coach in the off-season. “It’s actually been a really quick pre-season because we have had so much going on off-field, but we have just tried to focus on our onfield stuff,” Robinson said.

Robinson admits that some extra attention will go into former Demons players Ryan Matthews and Will Campbell.

“I think you have to be very mindful when you lose your best-and-fairest winner and your runner-up best-andfairest winner,” he said.

“They will be copping some attention.”

Ex-assistant coach for the Demons and now head coach at the Tigers, Trent Baumeler has picked six of the seven former Demons players for the clash, with only Nick Hutchins missing because of a knee injury.

However, it’s another recruit that Baumeler is excited about, with Edward BurrowsCheng joining his brother Oliver at the Tigers.

“He is a super player but more importantly with Eddie he is a super lad,” Baumeler said. “He is super quick, he has pace and the defensive side of his game is really good.”

Eastern Shore rivals Lauderdale and Clarence meet at a resurfaced Lauderdale Oval on Saturday. Lauderdale is without Josh McGuinness, Max Kleverkamp, Robbie McManus and Thor Boscott because of suspensions from last year’s grand final, but the Bombers welcome Tim Mosquito, Kim Kantilla and Henry Kerinaiua from the Northern Territory.

Clarence will be hoping to take advantage of its weakened opponents but with the loss of Ian Callinan, Sam Siggins, Michael Fisher and Jack Gleeson, Roos coach Jeromey Webberley admits his side will also be looking to fill the void of some senior personnel.

“We have a completely different group this year,” Webberley said.

“It’s probably more about re-establishing our brand this year with this new group.”

Reigning premier North Launceston will be looking to continue its dominance on the competition tomorrow.

But in its way is a strengthened Launceston, which has included former Devonport players Mitch Thorp and Dylan Riley to its list.