TSL rivals getting nervous as champs show there is still plenty of fight in the old – and new – dogs
Even with three straight TSL flags to their name, it appears the Northern Bombers are as hungry as ever after a dominant display against Glenorchy at KGV.
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WATCH out TSL, the big dog is finding its bark.
Triple reigning champion North Launceston is stalking the rest of the competition and would be putting the shivers through all its main rivals after dismantling Glenorchy at KGV, 11.9 (75) to 3.5 (23).
After a sluggish start, the champs are now off top spot only by percentage at the halfway point of the shortened season.
EXCLUSIVE: See all the players stats from the game
The Northern Bombers were actually kept scoreless into the wind in the first term, but limited the damage to just nine points despite the Magpies being well on top.
However, the visitors cranked up their game in the second term before dominating the second half to run away big winners and set up a top-of-the-table clash with cross-town rival Launceston on Wednesday night.
The North Launceston machine has many familiar names, but it was a few lesser-known stars shining brightly at KGV.
After a first half in the midfield, Sherrin Egger was thrown forward after the long break with instant effect, kicking three goals in the third term to break open the game and finishing with four, while 17-year-old North-West Coaster Baynen Lowe chipped in with North Launceston’s first two majors when the game was in the balance early.
Corey Nankervis blanketed Pies star Jaye Bowden, keeping him to just a solitary point for the day and Alex Lee controlled the ruck all game.
Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy lost classy defenders Zac Webster and Daniel Joseph and first ruck James Deegan before the game has even started and could only look on at his opponents depth with envy.
“North Launceston was a power long before there were only two clubs in the north, but now that there is, that ability to get depth from around their region is pretty good and that’s the challenge for us southern clubs,” Kennedy said.
“There is five of us trying to fight for that talent, that’s where we’ve got to be really good in our development programs to build that depth as well.”
Kennedy said a chance to put the heat on the Northern Bombers was missed in that opening term.
“That was critical, we should have gone in three or four goals up and asked some questions of them, but then their midfield got some clearances in a row and they owned territory on us,” he said.
“They are the best in the comp at sticking at what they do consistently and whenever we dropped off, they would get two or three goals together quickly.”
North Launceston playing-coach Taylor Whitford said a readjustment at quarter time allowed his side to get back into the game and then take control, with the help of his lesser lights.
“To get Baynen, Sherrin, James Curran, Oliver Sanders, to get these guys playing midfield and wing time today, to get them learning around the footy and off Josh (Ponting) and Brad (Cox-Goodyer), it is a good place for our footy club and we are not losing anything by putting them in there,” Whitford said.
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