North Launceston expects tough day against Lauderdale in TSL grand final grudge match

At some stage Lauderdale expects to get its “own back” against its grand final nemesis North Launceston. TSL round five could be that day. READ THE MATCH PREVIEW >>

Lauderdale co captains Josh McGuinness and Bryce Walsh. Picture Chris Kidd

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IT’S a day of reckoning for Lauderdale on its home deck today when it meets North Launceston for the first time since the Northern Bombers drove a dagger into the heart of the beachside boys with a third consecutive grand final defeat at Blundstone Arena last September.

North Launceston coach Taylor Whitford says the southern Bombers were a significant threat in the grand final rematch, particularly after they tested ladder leader Launceston at Windsor Park last weekend.

Lauderdale went down to the Blues 62-40 but Whitford said the score did not reflect how well the Bombers played.

“They played really well against Launceston _ they were stiff not to win,” Taylor said.

“They will fire up this weekend for us, I’m sure.”

North Launceston dumped big man Tom Bennett and opted not to bring back former AFL big man Bart McCulloch for the Lauderdale scrap.

TSL: Lauderdale vs. Glenorchy, Lauderdale Oval: Lauderdale's Alex Hevey takes a mark Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The Northern Bombers breathed a sigh of relief when midfield recruit Jake Laskey beat a two-match ban for head-high contact on Clarence player Dylan Howlett at the TSL tribunal on Tuesday night.

“He played a pretty good game last weekend – admittedly it’s a lot different to NTFA footy so he’s got some areas to work on,” Whitford said.

North Launceston skipper Brad Cox-Goodyer was outstanding against the Roos, gathering a game-high 29 possessions, eight of them contested, eight clearances, four marks and a goal.

“It’s a big game,” Cox-Goodyer said.

“Our biggest issue at the moment is scoring shots _ we’re kicking more behinds than goals.”

Lauderdale’s ball-winning firepower increased with the return of midfield scrapper Alex Hevey from a one-week sore back break.

After taking Lindisfarne to back-to-back SFL premierships, Lauderdale assistant coach Daniel Willing said the Bombers would play hardball against North Launceston.

“Just don’t forget that we’ve lost three grand finals to them and at some stage we’ve got to get our own back,” he said.