TSL: How Launceston went from 162-point defeat to upset win

They were humiliated by their biggest rivals in round one, but Launceston captain Brodie Palfreyman says hard work and attitude got them back on track after Saturday’s upset win at Lauderdale.

Launceston's player celebrate after Saturday's upset road win at Lauderdale. Picture: Sarah Cocker/Launceston FC

He’s won three flags at Launceston, but after a huge round one defeat Blues skipper Brodie Palfreyman knew he had a completely different challenge on his hands.

But he praised his players for keeping their heads up and adjusting their attitudes after they stunned Lauderdale for their first win of the TSL season in Hobart on Saturday.

Having dealt with a big player turnover the past two years, Palfreyman admitted it was difficult to keep the young players motivated after a 162-point loss to North Launceston where they failed to kick a goal.

But a focus on turning up the pressure reaped dividends against Lauderdale, rated one of the premiership favourites before the season began.

With Blues ruck Jake Kilby absent the Bombers won hitouts 91-22, clearances 43-24, had 119 more disposals and 57 more marks.

The Bombers did kick inaccurately in front of goal but Launceston won the pressure stats, outtackling the hosts 108-64, pressure acts 32-25 and overall pressure 147-99.

“There wasn’t too much (change), it was more an attitude thing,” Palfreyman said.

“It’s good to break the duck. We knew it was going to come ast some stage, but to do it against Lauderdale who are a great side and the way they’ve recruited this year, it was a very good win.

“We did our research on how we were going to shut them down and that was contested footy, our tackle pressure and our effort and attitude towards the man.”

Palfreyman said he had enjoyed the task of helping keep the young squad upbeat after they were left shell-shocked by North Launceston.

“Credit to North, we definitely got our pants pulled down,” he said.

“We had a meeting with the coaches and leadership group and tried to keep the young fellas motivated, which was pretty tough for the first couple of weeks. But we know what we’re capable of and we showed that on the weekend.

Launceston captain Brodie Palfreyman and coach Mitch Thorp. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

“It’s all about attitude and effort, and that starts at training. We’ve got the cattle there, there’s a fair bit of talent we have, so it’s good to see them turn that around.

“It’s very hard to keep the guys motivated after you’ve had a 160-point loss straight up in round one, after you’ve done all the work through pre season. But the guys were good, they didn’t miss a training and trained harder.”

While everyone said things they needed to, Palfreyman said coach Mitch Thorp had taken a composed approach after the local derby belting.

Palfreyman has 23 touches (13 contested), seven tackles, three clearances and a vital late running goal which gave the Blues breathing space.

“The way Mitch has coached, and he’s coached me for six or seven years, gone are the days of copping a spray and being real down the line,” Palfreyman said.

“We went back to the drawing board, that started on the training track and our attitude towards what we wanted to achieve come the end of this year.

“Our list demographic has changed a whole lot, especially the last two seasons. I’m the second or third oldest on the list and captain, so it’s a very good challenge to lead these young players to hopefully some success.”

With Launceston joining North Launceston in refusing to sign up for next year’s NTFA Premier League, Palfreyman backed the Blues’ belief a state league is still vital.

“I’ll let the powers that be be in control of that, but from a personal opinion I definitely think until the VFL is up and running we definitely need a state league in place,” he said.

“It’s the top tier competition, the best is playing the best, and the young aspirational players that want to go further need to be playing against the best and bigger bodies.

“I think that’s the best way to develop them as players.”

CRIPPS PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES - ROUND FOUR

North Launceston vs Glenorchy

3: Oscar Van Dam (North Launceston)

2: Beau Nash (North Launceston)

1: Isaac Manson (Glenorchy)

Clarence vs Kingborough

3: Noah Holmes (Clarence)

2: Lachlan Borsboom, (Clarence)

1: James Bealey (Clarence)

Lauderdale vs Launceston

3: Josiah Burling (Launceston)

2: Haydn Smith (Lauderdale)

1: Brodie Palfreyman (Launceston)

ROUND THREE LEADERS

RESULTS

Clarence 13.7 (85) def Kingborough 8.11 (59)

North Launceston 16.14 (110) def Glenorchy 7.5 (47)

Launceston 8.7 (55) def Lauderdale 6.16 (52)

GOALS

5 – Khalen Matthews (North Launceston)

4 – Jack Dolliver (Clarence)

3 – Bryce Alomes (Clarence)

3 – Isaac Manson (Glenorchy)

3 – Jack Aherne (North Launceston)

3 – Ben Hyatt (Launceston)

3 – Cam Hooker (Lauderdale)

3 – Rocky Barron (Launceston)

DISPOSALS

32 – Fletcher Bennett (North Launceston)

32 – Nat Franklin (Lauderdale)

30 – Josiah Burling (Launceston)

28 – Harry Bayles (North Launceston)

26 – Harrison Gunther (Glenorchy)

24 – Jack Avent (North Launceston)

24 – Lachlan Clifford (Kingborough)

24 – Phillip Bellchambers (Lauderdale)

23 – Lachlan Borsboom (Clarence)

23 – Oscar Van Dam (North Launceston)

23 – Brodie Palfreyman (Launceston)

RANKING POINTS

162 – Fletcher Bennett (North Launceston)

152 – Beau Nash (North Launceston)

142 – Harrison Gunther (Glenorchy)

134 – Blade Sulzberger (North Launceston)

130 – Isaac Hyatt (Launceston)

128 – Haydn Smith (Lauderdale)

123 – Noah Holmes (Clarence)

121 – Nat Franklin (Lauderdale)

120 – Isaac Manson (Glenorchy)

114 – Liam Howard (Clarence)