Fresh from their breakthrough victory, the Tigers now face the three time reigning premiers
North Launceston is sitting comfortably in second spot on the State League ladder approaching the halfway mark of the condensed season, but a rival coach is aware there is more to come from the competition juggernaut.
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STATE league powerhouse North Launceston has earned the right to ease into the shortened 2020 season and will only continue improving, according to Tigers coach Trent Baumeler.
The Bombers, who have played in six straight grand finals for five premiership victories — including the past three — sit in second spot on the ladder through five rounds with a 3-1 record despite not running at full capacity.
Their only defeat has come at the hands of unbeaten Launceston but Baumeler said it was “scary” for the rest of the competition knowing the room for improvement still left in Taylor Whitford’s men.
“You look at their first three, four weeks, they are still integrating some guys back in,” Baumeler said ahead of the Tigers trip to UTAS Stadium this weekend.
“Zac Burt, Tom Bennett has gone back to the D-League last week and kicked four goals and was best on.
“There is a bit of adjustment for those guys coming back into their system and a couple of new guys they have got from the NTFA as well.
“They are going to be more than formidable and they have the runs on the board to be able to build their way into the season.
“They have only lost the one game, which is to Launceston, so I think they are going to get better, which is scary for the rest of us.”
The Tigers released the pressure valve last weekend with a breakthrough victory against Clarence and will head north with renewed confidence.
Leading the charge was midfield enforcer Kieran Lovell, who amassed 29 possessions (11 contested) 10 clearances, 10 inside 50s and one goal.
Baumeler said the former Hawk would put himself back into contention for an AFL lifeline if he continued to produce blistering performances.
“I certainly hope so, I think obviously he has been on the radar, his performances at the front end of last year, he was setting himself to look at the mid-season draft and obviously he it was a little bit disappointing for him he didn’t get that opportunity.
“If he keeps performing like that, it has got to put his name up there, and I’m sure that is definitely still an aspiration of his.
“It would be great for him to get back into the system. All he can do is keep producing and keep playing the way he is playing.”
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