TSL: Lee desperate to help reward Bomber young guns with flag

North Launceston ruck Alex Lee is shooting for a fifth flag on Saturday. But his biggest drive is for the youngsters who’ve used grand final heartbreak to take the team to greater heights.

North Launceston co-captain Alex Lee will seal life membership at the club when he runs out for the 150th time on Saturday. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Just days after last year’s grand final loss to Kingborough, North Launceston stalwart Alex Lee was convinced their youngsters would use it more as a spur than a burden.

The increase in intensity and motivation was clear from the outset, and that drive has materialised into an unbeaten campaign before Saturday’s shot at redemption against Lauderdale at UTAS Stadium.

The Bombers young guns have taken on more off field responsibility as well as on it, with the likes of Harry Bayles, Blade Sulzberger, Oscar Van Dam, Harvey Griffiths, Theo Ives and Declen Chugg leading the way.

Ruck and club life member Lee is shooting for a fifth flag in the last-ever TSL finale, after victories in 2015 and 2017-19.

Lee played in his first premiership aged 20, just a handful of games into his TSL career after making the shift from Devonport.

He knows what premiership euphoria feels like for a young man, and wants to help today’s emerging crop experience it.

Asked what he’s noticed about the young players who featured in last year’s decider, Lee said: “Definitely a lot more confidence, and I think Smithy (coach Adrian Smith) might have mentioned earlier in an interview they’ve got that glint in their eye, and are hungry for it,” he said.

North Launceston ruck Alex Lee in action. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I think it might have been the start of the week after we lost last year, just the hunger for more (I noticed from them).

“Especially now it is the final year of the TSL, we want to go out on the highest note possible.”

With the TSL wrapping up and Tasmania’s VFL side not forecast to begin until 2026 it’s likely plenty of Bombers players will look to try their luck on mainland leagues.

Saturday is their last hurrah as a group, and the last chance for the young plays to clinch premiership glory.

“Especially us older blokes who are still here, we just want that success for the younger boys so they can experience it,” Lee said.

North Launceston co-captains Fletcher Bennett and Alex Lee. Picture: Chris Kidd

“When I got my first one I was 20, that’s the age of a lot of these blokes as well. For them to get that experience (would be ideal), then whatever happens next year happens.”

Lee can consider himself unlucky not to make the TSL team of the year, which was unveiled earlier this week, with Lauderdale ruck Andrew Phillips getting the nod.

Asked if that’s a motivator for Saturday, Lee said: “Yeah, it’s only natural to strive for personal accomplishment, but I’m more focused on what I can do for the team to get us across the line.”