‘Helpless’ Leary praises Bombers’ depth as he eyes off grand final redemption

A suspended Brandon Leary felt “helpless” watching his team slog out a qualifying final win. But he was always confident North Launceston’s depth would hold up as they look to cap an unbeaten season in the TSL decider.

A refreshed Brandon Leary is one of a handful of North Launceston players set to return for the TSL grand final. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Brandon Leary felt “helpless” watching North Launceston gut out a qualifying final win against Clarence as he and his fellow suspended players watched on.

And while their return means players deserving of grand final selection will miss out, the small forward says that depth has been a huge factor in their unbeaten run.

Leary, Oscar Van Dam and Lockie Mitchell served one game bans for the qualifying final, while Blade Sulzberger (medial) is expected to be the biggest beneficiary of another weeks’ rest to take his place in next Saturday’s decider at UTAS Stadium.

Without the quartet the Bombers still won by 47 after the Roos closed to within three points in wet conditions in the third quarter.

The grand final will be a rare time North Launceston will roll out their best possible side after their Devils’ early finals loss allowed them to return against Clarence.

“It (not playing) was tough, I was saying to a few of the boys it’s one of the first games I’ve missed, definitely at UTAS,” Leary said.

“Sitting up in the box and not being able to do much, I felt helpless.

“They got to three points and I was thinking I don’t want to play Lauderdale, I want to go straight into a home grand final.

“We didn’t focus on the opposition too much, we just trusted what we do through the week and the system we play.

“Obviously you want players all in there, but you trust whoever comes in and to their credit they all played well and got the job done.”

Leary said having at least 30 players they can trust to play senior football has prevented players getting complacent, but also allowed them to rest sore bodies when needed.

“It’s been good to have some different guys in the team and have to fight for your spot a bit,” Leary said.

“It makes everyone even hungrier, I suppose.

“It’s tricky because they (players not selected for grand final) have very right to be upset, but it’s a we, not me.

Brandon Leary is congratulated after kicking a goal for Tasmania earlier this year. Picture: Linda Higginson/AFL Tasmania

“It’s very easy for someone who’s going to play to say that, but you get around them as much as you can and let them know they’ve been a very important piece of a very good team.

“Most other teams they might walk straight into. Even just to be a part of it and playing 15 senior games, they’ve played their role.

“Lower end teams probably don’t have the players fighting for spots and you get complacement, it definitely helps with your standards.”

Leary was part of the Bombers’ past two grand finals last year and in 2021, both defeats.

The grand final will be just their second match since August 24, but a refreshed Leary says it’s a positive.

“I know a few of the boys were very sore (before the qualifying final). To have those weeks off and manage our players through is really good,” he said.

“I know a few of us boys went for a run on Sunday before the game, so we’re keeping up the kays and doing the training sessions, but also managing the blokes feeling a bit sore. “Personally I feel great at the moment, it’s handy to have a few weeks off.”

Leary said they will wait until after the last-ever TSL grand final to reflect on what they’ve achieved as a group the past few years.

A handful of leading players look set to test themselves in mainland state leagues.

“After the grand final we will for sure,” Leary said.

“There’s been some little conversations with the boys on what they’re going to do, but at the moment we’re focused on hopefully being the last TSL premiers.”