Launceston squaring off to VFL Roos

TSL reigning premier Launceston is set to fly the flag for Tasmanian football in a proposed practice match against North Melbourne’s VFL team at either Windsor Park or UTas Stadium on March 6.

Blues coach Mitch Thorp hopes the game can be a curtain-raiser to North Melbourne’s newly scheduled AFL pre-season match against Tasmanian co-tenant Hawthorn at UTas Stadium on the same day.

The Roos were slated to play Adelaide at North Hobart Oval on February 28 and Hawthorn to host Port Adelaide on March 6 in the AAMI Community Series.

But the AFL’s clamp-down on pre-season interstate travel due to COVID-19 border restrictions forced a revamp of its practice match competition.

Launceston’s looming date with the VFL Kangaroos would be a solid challenge for Tasmania’s best team, with the match details close to being finalised.

“Brady Rawlings Melbourne’s football called me to float the Thorp said.

“We thought Launceston playing North Melbourne’s VFL side with AFL-listed players would be good for Tassie footy and the relationship we are building with North Melbourne.

“The VFL is a very good competition and our guys are really keen to have a crack. (North boss) idea,”

“The game would be livestreamed with commentary, which is all very exciting for our club.”

The Kangaroos line-up would include the Tasmanian players they have signed for VFL experience this season.

The Kangas plan to “intern” eight 19 to 22-year-old Tasmanians — one from each of the TSL clubs and one from the North-West Coast — to their list for limited exposure in the new VFL/Eastern Seaboard competition.

So far they include Elijah Reardon (Tigers), Harrison

Gunther (Glenorchy), Jake Steele (Clarence), Tom Donnelly (North Launceston), Miller Hodge (Launceston) and two-time NWFL representative Bailey Boag, of Burnie, with a player from North Hobart and Lauderdale to come.

“It will be a good opportunity for North Melbourne to pool those guys together and have a look at them in a game,” Thorp said.

“It is a real positive for us to help prepare for the season. It’s a positive for Tassie football and for North Melbourne’s VFL campaign.”