Finally, Blues have a day out against cross-town rivals North Launceston
Launceston has brought to an end a seven-year losing streak as it finally broke the drought against its cross-town rivals.
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LAUNCESTON had had a “gutful” of hearing about North Launceston’s winning streak – well now the Blues don’t have to listen to that anymore.
The Blues ended an 18-game losing to its cross-town rivals with a much-deserved 19-point win over the three-time reigning premiers at Windsor Park, 8.12 (60) to 6.5 (41).
Launceston coach Mitch Thorp said it was a huge relief to put the hoodoo to bed, as his side secured its first victory over the Northern Bombers since August 2013.
“To be honest, I’ve had a gutful of hearing about it,” Thorp said.
“They have been the dominant side for a long period and given plenty of teams headaches and certainly they have given us a headache over the past seven years so it was nice to win.
“It just unlocks a bit of a bogey side and gives us a shot of confidence the boys needed.”
But the Blues’ wastefulness going inside 50 and in front of goals kept North Launceston in the game and it closed to seven points late in the final term before Jake Hinds kicked the last two goals of the game to end the contest.
The Blues’ tactics were exceptional, dropping No.1 ruckman Hamish Leedham for young gun Tim Auckland and Thorp leaving himself out to bring speed to the forward 50 and his leadership from the sidelines.
They dominated the midfield clearances 32-15 led by Fletcher Seymour and Jobi Harper, but Jarrod Dakin’s job on North Launceston playing-coach Taylor Whitford was telling.
“To keep him to three disposals until three-quarter time was outstanding from the young man,” Thorp said of Dakin.
“It was a tough week to be fair, to drop Hamish who has been a former captain and played over 100 games for a young ruckman, we bit the bullet and it paid off.
“I’m really proud of young Tim and how he applied himself.”
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