Pies coach says it is Rainbird’s time to fly
MITCH Rainbird has been among Glenorchy’s best players in his two TSL appearances this season but the talented utility has been challenged to elevate his game to another level.
As the Pies desperately try to avoid starting the shortened year 0-4 by beating fellow winless outfit Tigers at the Twin Ovals, coach Paul Kennedy is turning to his “young leaders”, such as Rainbird, who missed the 2019 State League due to concussion issues but has had an immediate impact on his return.
He gathered 24 disposals to go with a dominant 12 clearances in last week’s loss to Clarence, and with experienced stars injured, Kennedy is leaning on the likes of the 23-year-old to help the club kickstart its season.
“We have some pretty exciting young blokes coming through but we have to make sure they have got support around them,” Kennedy said.
“His (Rainbird’s) start to the season has been good – at the same time I have challenged him because there are things he can do better.
“He has the capacity to be better … and we are hoping he can have a really good game this week. It is not easy coming back when you haven’t played for 18 months, or 21 months. Against Launceston in Round 1, he was close to our best player and was close again on the weekend.
“He has worked extremely hard to be the fittest he has ever been and be in the position to have a great year.
“We want to keep setting the bar high for him because his capacity is to be one of the best players in the comp.”
Kennedy refuses to panic despite the side’s horror start, compounded by the loss of last year’s leading TSL goalkicker Aiden Grace (ankle). He does have star defender Daniel Joseph set to return from an ACL reconstruction.
The Tigers are coming off a mauling by Launceston, with coach Trent Baumeler hoping his troops bite back.
“I don’t think it shakes us too much as we understand … they are a very good team and I don’t think we are the last team they are going to do that to this year,” he said of the thumping from the Blues.