Littlejohn sad to farewell North Launceston as Lions call

IT will hurt Zane Littlejohn to leave the club that has been his second home for five years but he packs his bags for Queensland proud of his achievements at North Launceston.

IT will hurt Zane Littlejohn to leave the club that has been his second home for five years but he packs his bags for Queensland proud of his achievements at North Launceston.

After finishing eighth in 2012 and ’13, Littlejohn masterminded three grand final appear­ances and two premierships in his past three years as Bombers coach.

Zane Littlejohn during the TSL grand final at Aurora Stadium. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

They were unsuccessful in landing a third flag against Glenorchy at Aurora Stadium on Saturday, but the 30-year-old heads to his new job as Brisbane Lions development coach pleased with the impact he has had at the Bombers.

“Yes, it’s going to hurt when I leave,” he said.

“I said to my wife this morning, that’s the biggest disappointment in my time at the club, having to leave.

“When I first got the job I had a two-year contract. I wanted to leave the place in a better spot than I first found it.

“Whether I had an influence on just one person, that would be a win for me, I never expected playing in three grand finals and winning two of them.

“It has been a whirl wind of emotions, especially after the game.

“I’ve made a lot of good friends at this place and being coach has given me a lot of great opportunities.

“This will be home for a long time. It’s a special footy club and I’m proud of playing some part in helping them get back to the top of Tassie footy.”

Littlejohn’s proudest ­moments were winning TSL premierships in 2014 and ’15.

“To see the joy on people’s faces in ’14 and ’15, not just the players but the people who have been around this football club a lot longer than I have, is something I will never forget,” he said.

“I have no doubt people are saying that’s probably the end of North Launceston but it has never been about me.

“This playing group will stick together, I’m pretty sure, and hopefully we will see them back up the top again.”

Littlejohn has a daughter on the way next month and will be in Brisbane in time to take the Lions’ first-year to third-year players for preseason in ­November.

Meanwhile, Bombers ruckman Daniel Roozendaal has announced his retirement from the TSL.