Nick aims to banish his demons

NORTH Hobart’s AFL recruit Nick Gill says he has under-delivered in his debut TSL season but believes his best is yet to come.

The former Melbourne, North Melbourne and Adelaide utility, who has a one-year contract as playing assistant coach for the Demons, has played only two games in the first six rounds.

Gill was named for North’s acrosstown grudge match against Hobart at the TCA ground on Friday night but was a late withdrawal because of his dodgy hamstring.

He will have scans on the injury today.

‘‘I think old age is slowing me down,’’ he said yesterday.

‘‘I’m 30, so in footy terms I’m a grandpa.’’

The big forward with a foot like a rocket launcher played in North’s Round 1 win over Hobart, when he kicked three goals, and the Round 4 loss to Clarence, kicking two goals.

Gill said he would play against

I’m 30, so in footy terms I’m a grandpa

Clarence at North Hobart Oval on Saturday provided he gets through training this week.

He aims to play better than he did first time around against the Roos in a clash between the TSL’s top-placed southern teams – Clarence third and North Hobart fourth on the ladder.

‘‘I kicked 2.3 and one out on the full last time, so that wasn’t an ideal game,’’ he said.

Given he has played two games out of six, Gill is champing at the bit.

‘‘As all footballers will attest, it’s very frustrating to be injured and no one likes to be a spectator at a game they should have played,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a horrible feeling not to be out there, especially with a new team. You want to get out and prove yourself.

‘‘I haven’t had that opportunity yet, so I’m pretty excited to get a few games under my belt.’’

North Hobart coach Lance Spaulding said he would take no chances with his prized possession.

‘‘If he gets through training he will be named, and we will give him until the very last minute, but we won’t risk him if he’s not pain-free,’’ Spaulding said.

North has lost backman Claude Alcorso for a week with a hamstring strain.

Backman Callan Dell, who strained his quad at training on Thursday, and onballer Joe Arnold, sidelined for two weeks by a twisted ankle, will both return.

Also this week, fifth- placed Lauderdale takes on undefeated South Launceston at Lauderdale, Glenorchy hosts cellar dweller Devonport at KGV, Hobart has Launceston at the TCA, and undefeated Burnie faces North Launceston at West Park.