North Hobart comes of age after dismantling best TSL team from the South in past three years
Some of the best ball movement North Hobart has produced in the last three years has seen the Demons hammer Lauderdale in their first home match of the 2020 season.
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NORTH Hobart’s finest victory in the Richard Robinson era has put the TSL on notice that the club is a legitimate finals threat in 2020.
The Demons entered the round three clash against Lauderdale — beaten grand finalists for the past three years — on the back of a victory against Tigers and having pushed premiers North Launceston in the opening week.
But their crowning moment came after a second half romp against the Bombers, running away with a 10.7 (67) to 4.9 (33) result which saw the side jump into second on the ladder.
The hosts dominated the second quarter with 20 inside 50s but were unable to fully capitalise, and when Sam Siggins and Robbie McManus goaled for the visitors within three minutes the Bombers had snatched the lead despite being completely outplayed.
Jye Menzie (three goals) responded immediately to give the hosts a four-point buffer at the main break before the Demons broke the dam wall with an inspired third term.
North piled on 4.2 to no score after halftime, slicing through Lauderdale with slick ball movement and gaining confidence with every addition to the scoreboard.
A five-goal lead at the last change looked comfortable but the Bombers threatened to rally when Nick Baker and Luke Nelson — playing his first match alongside fellow VFL-listed player Nathan Oakes — booted consecutive majors.
Troy Cunliffe steadied the Dees with a quick snap from a pack and then Jeffrey Fisher and Menzie put the icing on the cake.
“We thought if we could get enough footy around the stoppage we could open them up a bit and I think we did that in the third quarter,” Robinson said.
“They kicked the first two goals of the last quarter, I suppose when you have been in the position where you haven’t won many games a little bit of self doubt crept through but to the boys’ credit they applied themselves.
“Definitely [it was Robinson’s best win]. Last week probably the Tigers played better than us and we were able to manufacture a win.
“Today some of our ball movement was the best I have seen, but that comes with the personnel as well.”
Returning trio Cunliffe, Baxter Norton and Jack Sandric were outstanding while skipper Nathan McCulloch again led from the front.
The Bombers were best served by defenders Josh McGuinness and Will Poland, who did their best to limit the influx of damage.
“We are not going to look for excuses … we were outplayed today and that’s about as simple as it gets,” coach Darren Winter said.
“We have a bit of homework to do and back to the drawing board a little bit.”
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