North Launceston forced to earn victory against Lauderdale
In a typically heated affair, North Launceston has emerged victorious in a tight tussle against Lauderdale, with players from both sides sure to be left “pretty sore”.
AFL
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NORTH Launceston has strengthened it grip on first spot on the ladder, holding on against Lauderdale for a 10-point win 10.17 (77) to 10.7 (67).
For the second week in a row the Northern Bombers went in at the half the lesser side and made the adjustments to get the win.
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Lauderdale hit the break 10 points up after Sam Tilley calmly sent home his second goal of the game after the siren.
It triggered scruffing spot fires as tensions between two sides with a long and heated rivalry threatened to boil over.
North came out from the break the better side. Squeezing the Lauderdale attack, holding the Southern Bombers to just one point and taking an eight-point advantage into the final term despite kicking 2.7.
“We reassessed some things at half time and were able to implement them a little bit better,” North coach Taylor Whitford said. “Our defence was really good in the third term and we were able to keep Lauderdale to one point.
“I guess it is a good thing that the group is able to change the plan or alter their game style during games. Hopefully we get to the stage where we don’t have to wait until breaks for that to happen.”
North led at one point by 28 but Lauderdale was able to narrow the margin late.
Jake Laskey kicked three goals for North, with Bart McCulloch booting two.
Harry Richmond had three for Lauderdale.
Whitford lauded his team’s “solid performance” in a typically heated showdown.
“It’s a tough contest every time you play Lauderdale,” he said.
“You walk away pretty sore.
“We’re both pretty mature sides, we’ve played some good games against Lauderdale in the past three or four years.
“We’ll be pretty sore tonight but that’s just a North Launceston v Lauderdale game, a quality contest.”
Lauderdale will be hitting the ice baths and beach recovery sessions in earnest as it has a short break before facing Glenorchy on Wednesday night.
North Launceston heads south to face a resurgent Kingborough next Saturday.
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