By: DARRYN PERRY
After a disjointed pre-season, the Magpies finally appointed Ben Reid from its own nest. Reid has a winning coaching record with the Black and Whites, and his understanding of the list will ensure a seamless transition. He is known for meticulous planning and dragging the best out of his troops. The bar is set high at Glenorchy and Reid is up for the challenge.
At Lauderdale, Steve Woods was contentiously not reappointed and has been replaced by former Demon Cam de Gooyer and a new team of assistants including the highly-respected Kane Richter. The Bombers started the season with an impressive away win over South Launceston, and their abundance of young guns will develop quickly -- finals action is not out of the question.
Clarence lost Brendan Bolton to Hawthorn and wasted no time in appointing ex-Tassie Devils captain Brett Geappen.
I've no doubt he'll be well prepared, and with top-shelf experience like Blight, Thurley, Paine and Setchell, the Roos are going to be right in the mix come late September.
Expect Launceston to continue its success and go top three. Its clean, systematic style was clearly evident against the Magpies. Led by the hardy Scott Stephens and goal-kicking machine Adam Derbyshire, the Blues will be the league's benchmark.
I was on hand to witness an impressive North Launceston upset the Justin Plapp-led Burnie Dockers. The Bombers were way too quick and fit for the ``spud diggers'' from the coast. Shane Wager and co. exposed Burnie's lack of speed and fitness through the midfield. Plapp is a proud man so expect the Dockers to bounce back hard.
The real worry for Plapp is the finals will be played on the bigger grounds, not the postage stamp-sized West Park where the Dockers are nearly unbeatable. I suspect some extra training and less time in the pantry is in store for some of his troops.
North Hobart will push for a top six spot, and expect Hobart under Todd Lewis to surprise some pundits and push for a finals berth. Devonport and South Launceston are developing sides and will improve as the year rolls on.
Sticking my neck out, I predict the ladder come September will look like this: Launceston, Clarence, Glenorchy, Burnie, North Launceston, North Hobart, Hobart, Lauderdale, Devonport, South Launceston.
Last Modified on 09/04/2009 16:28