Launceston’s imposing home ground advantage another challenge Lauderdale must conquer

Better ball movement and more patience going into forward 50m will be key to Lauderdale causing a State League upset at Windsor Park

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LAUDERDALE has spent additional time looking into how to move the ball better forward of centre in an effort to combat Launceston’s distinct home ground advantage.

The Bombers head to Windsor Park for their TSL semi-final blockbuster, a venue the hosts have lost just once at all season — to Clarence in the slop in the lowest scoring statewide league match since World War II.

While the visitors do have a recent victory at the ground, an 18-point win in round eight last year, it is their only success in their past six trips to Riverside, which includes a semi-final loss to North Launceston last season when UTAS Stadium was out of action.

Lauderdale’s Alex Hevey marks during the game against Launceston at Lauderdale last month. Picture Chris Kidd

Coach Darren Winter said the ground’s extra length has caused his side issues, an area they hope to address as they strive to knock the Blues out of the finals race for the fourth straight year.

“You have to use the ball better on the way into the forward line, the ground is a lot longer than normal, you often end up kicking short into your forward line or not getting it deep enough because there is that extra half a kick in length on the ground,” Winter said.

“We always seem to hit the centre half forward area often instead of getting it deeper.

“We also have to be a bit more patient with the ball going forward, maybe using another kick, connecting it up a bit better than we traditionally do up there.

“We have put a bit of time into the ground and how we want to play this week.”

TSL, Launceston Jake Hinds during the game against Lauderdale at Lauderdale. Picture Chris Kidd

Despite being armed with the home ground advantage, Blues coach Mitch Thorp declared his troops are not taking it for granted.

He also expects no love lost between two combative sides who have built up a fierce, bordering on hostile, rivalry.

“I don’t think we are on each other’s Christmas Card list, that’s fact,” Thorp said.

“Lauderdale are a strong unit, they have played in the last three grand finals, you don’t get there by chance.

“I don’t think there will be any players going through the motions of thinking it is just going to happen [getting a home final].

“We know and respect Lauderdale enough to know they are going to bring a certain level of intensity we are going to have to match and ultimately it will be the team that can sustain it for four quarters that will get the job done.”

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