NEW Norfolk’s three men’s teams were at home on the big Boyer Oval last Saturday for the first game of the 2022 season.

A new look Seniors, under first season coach Tim Butterworth, faced a daunting task against one of the SFL’s leading premiership contenders Lindisfarne.

With the loss of experienced players such as last season’s best and fairest winner Jamie Sokolski, Tyler Ford, Jack Hills and Corey Jetson to Bothwell and Jack Crossin to Claremont and Reece Heald it will be left to some old hands and an influx of youth to carry the flag for the club this season.

New players to the club include Riley Higgins (North Hobart); Brayden Butler (North Hobart Juniors), Zayden Kelly and Jaythen Poulson (Glenorchy) and the return of Caleb Triffett and Sam Webb.

The new coach said of the new season:
“As a young group with an average age of 20, I think we will be underestimated by our rivals.
“We will be the underdogs against some of the bigger teams in the competition, but we love that title.
“I am sure we will shock a lot of people and teams within the SFL competition. We still have a variety of size and experience in our side, but our speed will be a surprise to everyone we play.

“Our focus will be to build confidence and experience in our younger players. We are thrilled to welcome some new and exciting young players to the club who will add to our current crop of developing youngsters.
“We will continue to strive to build a solid foundation for the successful future of the club.”

The following players achieved milestones on Saturday:
Corey Ransley – 150 Reserve games.
Corey played his first game in 2009 and has played five Senior and 150 Reserve games.
Corey is a great club man and is always assisting on game day in whatever capacity required.
He is a former Reserves Coach and has undertaken the role of Colts coach at short notice.
Corey is red, white, and black through and through having played all his football with New Norfolk. Congratulations Corey on achieving this milestone.

Josh Hills – 50 Senior games.
Josh played his first game in 2017. He has now played 50 senior and 10 reserve games.
Josh “Noisy” is very quiet but is an extremely talented and tenacious midfielder who gives his all every game.

Andrew Minchin – 200 Reserve Games. Andrew played his first game in 2007.
He has now amassed 200 Reserve and four Senior games. Rowan Thomason – 50 Games Rowan played his first game in 2018. He has now played 50 Senior and 19 Reserve games.