In Brief

DRUGS CHARGE

Saints lose big guns

ST KILDA has firmly denied that it is flirting with its unbeaten form, after the Saints last night replaced five players €” including captain Nick Riewoldt and three other all-Australian contenders €” for the game against Hawthorn at Launceston tomorrow.

Launceston Pancake Day a Success

Launceston's Pancake Day proved a success with over 100 people attending the event held at Pilgrim Uniting Church in the Paterson St church grounds last Tuesday week.

Unspoilt Beauty At The Front Door

HISTORIANS argue the point about whether Launceston is Australia's second or third oldest city.

Wilderness On The Doorstep

The jewel in Launceston's crown is a short walk from the city, writes Tim Richards.

Brisbane's Confidence Rocked: Matthews

AS A satisfied Alastair Clarkson celebrated the perfect end to Shane Crawford's 300th game and a certain top-four finish, his Brisbane Lions counterpart Leigh Matthews confessed the confidence of his players was shaken after their finals hopes were all but ended with an "unpleasant experience" in Launceston.

Tasmanian Choices

The Launceston Country Club offers plenty of holiday options - and there's even more to do if you want to leave the property.

Take In The Tamar

Two Launceston developments are setting the trend.

Blow For Hawks' Midfield

HAWTHORN'S midfield faces a major challenge on Saturday, with Shane Crawford doubtful for the Launceston blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs, the game in which Luke Hodge will be absent again.

Swoop On Swans Has Nothing To Do With Integrity

THAT the Swans did not want to win their first NAB Cup match against Hawthorn in Launceston was a secret about as well concealed as Paris Hilton's social life.

New Quay Unlocks A Career

GROWING up on a farm outside Launceston probably didn't provide me with the kind of stimulus one would expect for a budding architect. Our farm was an absolute menagerie of chickens, cows and sheep. While a recession made farming difficult for my family, I do admit it was a fun place to grow up.

Williams Gladdens Hawks

MARK WILLIAMS' ability to run out a full game was one of the highlights of yesterday's Hawthorn intraclub match at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Parties Out Of Step On Pulp Mill

LESS than a quarter of Australians support plans to build a wood pulp mill near Launceston in Tasmania's north.

Hawthorn's Fortress Falls, Will Finals Hopes Follow?

The Kangaroos' big win in Launceston has consigned Hawthorn to a desperate struggle to stay in the finals race.

Roos Victors, Tassie Crowd The Big Loser

IF THE clash between the Kangaroos and Hawthorn had been sold in a shop, the good folk of Launceston would have been taking it back and asking for an exchange.

Fight At Aviation's Bottom End To Test Everyone's Resolve

THE ink had hardly dried on Tiger Airways' announcement yesterday that it was adding a $39.99 Melbourne-to-Launceston route to its fledgling operations when Jetstar countered with its $29 fare. If Tiger's Tony Davis was ever under any illusions about the nature of the Qantas group's response to his attempts to enter its home market, they would have been truly dispelled.

Allison's Win One For Her Late Dad

ALLISON Mina fulfilled a lifelong dream as part of the NSW team which won the national under 18 hockey title in Launceston earlier this month.

Four In Country Rep Team

FOUR Illawarra players will represent NSW Country at the Australian under 18 basketball championships in Launceston.

Swifts' Top Run Broken

THE depleted Sydney Swifts had their record-breaking run of National Netball League wins snapped at 18 as they crashed 58-44 to Melbourne Kestrels at Launceston's Silverdome on Saturday night.

Kestrels Get Best Chance To Upset Swifts

IF THERE is such a thing as a good time to play a team that has not lost a game since late in 2005, against the Sydney Swifts, it is probably during the next fortnight. Rarely will the winless Melbourne Kestrels get such an upset opportunity as against the unbeaten but depleted Swifts in Launceston tomorrow night.