Old Blue still has plenty of tricks

IN a competition full of pups, at 31 Launceston forward Sonny Whiting is an old dog, but he is still learning plenty of new tricks.

Whiting will play his 150th senior game for the Blues today against Clarence at Windsor Park in a career that includes two premierships — 2008 NTFA and 2011 TSL — and the 2013 Hudson medallist as the TSL’s leading goalkicker and state representation.

He has booted 15 goals in six games this season, including two bags of four and a haul of six, but he has also spread his wings in terms of positions.

“I’ve been playing a little bit different role this year, playing more in the midfield, getting a few more possessions,” Whiting said. “As we’ve got so many players who can kick goals, I’m trying to add a few more strings to my game. It’s been quite enjoyable.”

With the addition of former South Launceston and Devonport key forward Mitch Thorp, Whiting doesn’t have to be the go-to man in the Blues’ attack. And he’ll reach the milestone today in a significant game with the Blues (second) only percentage ahead of the Roos.

“They are travelling well at the moment, so it is a big game for both of us,” Whiting said.

“For whoever wins it is going to set their season up really.”

With the demise of Burnie and Devonport, Launceston is on the bus to Hobart seven times this season — or once every three weeks across the 21 rounds. But Whiting dismissed it as a concern.

“I think you get used to it, I’ve done it for so many years now it is just another week,” he said.

“If you’ve got the right mindset that you know you are going to travel and you don’t make excuses it is not a problem.”