THORP INSISTS HIS BLUES WON’T BE COMPLACENT

ONE of the biggest David v Goliath battles ever seen in the TSL is set to unfold at North Hobart on Sunday.

However Launceston coach Mitch Thorp insists there are enough “challenges” at the Blues to ensure the reigning premiers are fully switched-on against the Demons.

Launceston may be the biggest juggernaut in the competition at the moment, while the Demons are on another rebuild under new coach Clint French following the loss of a host of senior players in the off-season.

Not even that is enough for Thorp, pictured, to rest on his laurels, adamant his side – missing several key pieces from its 2020 premiership outfit – can ill afford to relax.

“Two years ago we didn’t win a game in our development league. We were very young and very inexperienced and we built from the bottom quite quickly,” Thorp said.

“I know they are doing some really good things to set their club up. They are a proud club and have been around for a long time and we have no doubt that Anzac Day and being a home game for them will be really big.

“They have some of their Devils guys back, and we know they are going to want to play well. We have also been faced with some challenges, not only with Jobi (Harper) and Fletcher (Seymour) being unavailable for the first part of the year but now with Jake Hinds being suspended, who has probably been the best player in the comp over the first two weeks.

“Miller Hodge was knocked out last week and won’t play and Jacob Boyd has a crook knee. We have plenty of things we need to navigate around and that’ll ensure everyone is really switched-on.”

It is also the first taste of Anzac Day football for Thorp’s side – an occasion he is humbled to be part of.

“I know there are a lot of people within our club looking forward to being part of it.

“North Hobart have done a great job in having some service opportunities as well. A lot of our guys go to the dawn services and things like that.

“But to have a part of the day where we can reflect is great.”