Lauderdale turn defeat into victory with big comeback win on the road to give Launceston the Blues in the Tasmanian State League

Away from home and trailing by more than three goals to Launceston in the third term, Lauderdale was staring down the barrel at a second straight loss, but the Bombers found something special.

Sam Siggins of Lauderdale in the Tasmanian State League match Lauderdale V Launceston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

AWAY from home and trailing by more than three goals to Launceston in the third term, Lauderdale was staring down the barrel at a second straight loss.

But these Bombers are fighting Bombers and Lauderdale lifted across the field to roar back into the game, win the arm-wrestle at the start of the last quarter and run out 18-point winners, 12.14 (86) to 10.8 (68).

The lead changed four times in the last term before Lauderdale was able to turn its ascendancy into scoreboard dominance, winning the final quarter 4.3 to two goals straight and record its sixth win of the year from its first seven games.

Reborn midfielder Sam Siggins used his size, strength and skill to be instrumental in the win, having 12 touches in that last term as the visitors won the clearance count 16-5 in the final quarter and 36-27 overall.

Bombers coach Darren Winter played assistant coach to Clinton Brown due to pre-match commitments while running as a United Australia Party candidate in the Federal Election.

But he was impressed with what he saw from his side and the Blues.

“I actually think Launceston is the best team that we’ve played,” Winter said.

“They move the ball really well, they are well coached and stick to their structures really well.

“Their midfield and they are lively up forward with (playing-coach Mitch) Thorp and a few smaller players, I think they are the team that has given us the most trouble even though we lost to Glenorchy.”

Thorp started on fire with three early goals before Edward Trupp quietened him. Trupp was then thrown forward and kicked the sealer in a rounded display, while Ben McGuinness kicked two majors but could have been many more.

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Phil Bellchambers was his usual beast self around the stoppages and chipped in with two goals, but Winter was full of praise for the role of Siggins.

“Siggins was really damaging during that last quarter,” he said.

“He was taking telling marks and using the ball really well in close.

“He had 12 disposals in that last quarter and a lot of those were contested and in tight.”

After giving up the 19-point lead at home, Launceston now sits with a 3-4 win-loss record.

Winter said he had found a new role should Brown take over full time or his political push fall short.

“Browny did a terrific job, he even took control of the song after the game while I was bringing the water bottles in,” he said.

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