North Launceston’s premiership ruckman says TSL Tigers as big a threat as any team in coronavirus season

North Launceston ruckman Alex Lee has played in five consecutive TSL grand finals and believes that until someone brings down Launceston, the Blues are premiership favourite.

TSL, North Launceston Alex Lee and Lauderdale Hayden Smith. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

• Tigers win their first TSL game for 2020 with a mauling of the Roos at Richmond
• North Launceston expects tough day against Lauderdale in TSL grand final grudge match

NORTH Launceston ruckman Alex Lee can’t put his finger on why the TSL’s two Launceston teams are so powerful but he hopes the Tigers get a taste of it when they clash with the reigning premier at UTas Stadium on Saturday.

Launceston and the Northern Bombers are first and second respectively on the ladder and have “daylight’ on their southern rivals after the first five weeks – the Blues are undefeated and the Bombers have lost only once and that was to their cross-town rival at Windsor Park in round two.

“I don’t know why we’re both doing so well – if it’s the footy programs we are running, or that we play to our strengths, I honestly couldn’t say,” Lee said.

“Launceston has recruited well and they’ve got one of the best lists, so until they are beaten they are the ones to beat.”

Lee was named among North Launceston’s best in its 26-point win over Lauderdale at Lauderdale Oval last Saturday, which continued its domination over its southern namesake.

Lee is delighted with his form.

“Normally it takes until late July or early August to hit my straps, later in a normal season, but this year it has come early,” he said.

“It was a good win on the road. We know we can go there and win because we did it late last year.

“It’s a matter of playing our brand of footy and not being dictated to.”

The Tigers broke through for their first win over Clarence at Richmond on Saturday, giving them a shot of confidence heading north, knowing the Roos tested North Launceston two weeks ago.

“The way the competition is at the moment, anyone can beat anyone on their day so you can never underestimate the opposition,” Lee said.

Since returning to North Launceston in 2015, Lee, a 24-year-old business and accounting student at university, played in five consecutive TSL grand finals for four premierships.

North Launceston’ Class of 2020 was also looking good for another title at the title.

“With the return of some premiership players to the club and the new additions that we have, it’s looking like it’s going to be a good year,” Lee said.

“The Covid layoff didn’t help because we couldn’t train together, and then only in small groups.

“But when we got back into it we hit the ground running, excited to get the season started.

“”Most of us have known each other for years, we know what each other is capable of, and we are starting to gel as a team.”