Lauderdale star Sam Siggins set for Anzac Day return

Lauderdale is set to welcome back a star player for Thursday’s Anzac Day clash against North Hobart.

Sam Siggins will return for Lauderdale on Anzac Day. Picture: Linda Higginson

Lauderdale star Sam Siggins is set to make his TSL return on Anzac Day with the three-time Alastair Lynch Medalist a lock to face North Hobart.

Siggins has missed the last three games after going down with a hamstring injury in the opening round of the season against Clarence in what was also the 30 year-old’s first soft tissue injury.

Siggins’ return will be a welcome one for Lauderdale after starting the season at 1-3. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But the Bombers vice-captain is set to return after a short but successful rehab stint with Siggins admitting it’s been frustrating watching on as Lauderdale went 1-2 in his absence.

“I’m excited to get back out there,” he said.

“I haven’t missed much footy in the last five years so it’s been frustrating not to be out there but it’s also been good to watch the boys play and work out areas in which we can improve on.

“Obviously we haven’t had the start to the season we wanted to have but I feel like if we can fix some things then we can have a good crack at it in the back-half of the year.”

The Bombers story of close early season losses continued in round four with a shock five-point loss to Launceston adding to a nine-point defeat against Clarence and a three-goal loss to North Launceston to open the season.

While Saturday’s loss was the most shocking of the three, Siggins felt the conversations had in the aftermath between the playing group may be looked back on as a turning point for the experienced side.

“The lessons we took out of it were really a line in the sand moment for us,” he said.

“If we are to have a successful year this year we need to pick up the standards and get better. It was definitely a wake-up call. We got beaten around the contest and just the way they set up around the ball really hurt us. Launceston looked hungry and like they wanted the footy more than us.”

Bombers coach Allen Christensen will also play on Saturday after making his return in the loss against Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Now set to face a North Hobart side also searching for its first win of 2024, Siggins said they wouldn’t be taking the Demons lightly who will head in fresh after a bye in round 4.

“North Hobart are a good young side that run really well,” Siggins said.

“They get numbers at the footy so if we allow them to play their way then it’s going to be a tough contest. We head in knowing they are a dangerous side but understanding we need to come in with the right mindset.”

Siggins confirmed he would have no restrictions in terms of minutes or position played on Thursday with the Bombers set for a bye in round 6 followed by big clashes against Kingborough and Clarence in consecutive weeks.