NTFA: Bombers make emphatic statement against bitter rivals

North Launceston emphatically exposed the gulf between them and the rest of the Premier League, while Longford will welcome back a former Pie for Saturday’s clash with Scottsdale. Get the latest from the NTFA here.

Isaac Chugg (right) playing for Wonthaggi. Chugg will line up for Longford this Saturday. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

North Launceston gave an emphatic reminder of the huge gap between the best and the rest after thrashing Launceston by 17.15 (117) to 5.7 (37) in the first derby of the NTFA Premier League era on Friday night.

Leading just 37-16 in a low-scoring first half, the Bombers piled on 12 goals to three after the main break to send a statement against their bitter rivals.

The thrashing in the clash of the TSL heavyweights was the last thing the new competition needed. The Bombers are primed to destroy the other sides in the new league by far wider margins after holding Longford to just one goal in a 137-point belting last week.

As the game wore on the Bombers’ running power and disciplined team defence overwhelmed the Blues. Launceston can be consoled by winning the Phil Edwards Cup, which is awarded to the club with the most goals from under-12s to seniors on Friday.

North Launceston won last year’s final TSL flag with an unbeaten season, with Jacob Kerr one of the desperately unlucky players not to feature in the grand final win over Lauderdale.

It’s clear he’s entered this year fuelled by motivation after backing up last week’s strong display against Longford with another influential display on the wing.

“The opportunity (on the wing) came up with Sammy (Simpson) going on ball, and I’m trying to grab it with both hands,” Kerr said.

“I had a pretty interrupted pre season last year, so this year I’ve tried to get as fit as I can and that always plays dividends.

“I dislocated my elbow last year in January, which put me out until round one.

“Definitely when the chips are down or in those extra sessions it (missing the grand final) definitely came to mind, but that’s football.

“I just took it on the chin, and took it as an opportunity to set an example for the younger guys.”

The Bombers’ 15-year-old debutant Sam Husband also had a strong first game in the seniors. He kicked his first goal in the opening term after finishing off a North Launceston attacking movement with a classy snap from 40 metres out.

Last year’s Alastair Lynch medallist Brad Cox-Goodyer, playing mostly up forward this season, kicked six goals after booting four in round one last week.

Husband said it was “surreal” to play in a forward line featuring the likes of Cox-Goodyer and Brandon Leary.

“It’s been awesome, the club has been so good for me,” Husband said.

“Coming from Prospect it’s been a big step up, but all the guys and Adrian (Smith, coach) have been really welcoming.

“Brad’s been good learning from him, guys like that. He’s my under-16 state coach as well.

“It (senior debut) was the goal and unfortunately Declen Chugg did his AC joint, so we did it for him today.

“It’s awesome playing with Brandon Leary and Jack Avent, being a little kid watching them play then now playing alongside them.”

Young north-west talent Beau Nash was also a standout for the Bombers, as was inside midfielder Michael Stingel while Alex Lee dominated the ruck.

For the second straight week, the Blues were involved in a melee as players left the field for the main break, which spilt over to the fence.

Bailey Gillow failed to finish the match for Launceston, while the Bombers are expected to be without Declen Chugg for a few weeks after he suffered a shoulder injury against the Tigers last week.

NORTH LAUNCESTON 4.2 5.7 12.11 17.15 (117) def LAUNCESTON 1.1 2.4 4.6 5.7 (37)

Goals: North Launceston - Brad Cox-Goodyer 6, Bailey Mitchell 2, Jack Avent 2, Brandon Leary 2, Oliver Dean, Sam Husband, Beau Nash, Harry Bayles, Tyane Thomas; Launceston - Lochie Plunkett 2, Jake Hinds, Archie Wilkinson, Lucas Sullivan

Best: North Launceston - Alex Lee, Bradley Cox-Goodyer, Brandon Leary, Michael Stingel, Beau Nash, Theo Ives; Launceston - Zachary Morris, Brodie Palfreyman, Avery Thomas, Lucas Sullivan, Jake Hinds, Jacob Boyd

LONGFORD RETURN HELPING CHUGG REDISCOVER LOVE OF FOOTY

He tasted life at the top, but a return to country footy has helped rejuvenate Isaac Chugg after he “lost a lot of love for the game” before he lines up for junior club Longford on Saturday.

Chugg was picked up by Collingwood in the 2021 rookie draft, but the now 23-year-old was juggling the adjustment to the big smoke with grieving the loss of his grandfather and father.

His father Jamie and grandfather Alan, both legends at Longford, passed away in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

It’s a major reason why Isaac wants to help continue the rich family legacy at the Tigers by playing a handful of games for them this season.

Chugg played two AFL matches for the Magpies in 2022 before he was delisted, and is in his third year with Wonthaggi in the Gippsland League.

The Panthers have given him the green light to play some cameos for the Tigers, starting with Saturday’s home clash against Scottsdale.

His cousins Kayden Tootell and Oliver Chugg played in last week’s 137-point season-opening loss to Launceston.

Isaac Chugg has returned to Longford. Picture: Longford FC

“I’ve still got Ben (Chugg, reserves coach) and Sam still around the club, I’m real excited to get back and keep the Chugg name in the footy club,” Chugg said.

“The family connection makes it real exciting, and something I’ve looked forward to for a number of years.

“Everyone at the club called my grandfather ‘Pa’, no one called him Alan. I didn’t realise how much impact he had, but looking back now I understand it, which is nice.”

Chugg said he would have stayed at Collingwood had they made that decision. But now a few years removed, he can see clearly it was in his best interests.

“I would have stuck around, but upon departure that was a recognition thing,” he said.

“From the passing of my Pa and my dad, I lost a lot of love for the game, and being in such a professional environment made that hard as well.

“I loved it, and it was an awesome experience. (But) the stress of it all soon becomes overwhelming and the game becomes a chore, rather than that thing you grow up loving.

“I’m not going to say I should have made it. It’s something I look back on now and I really enjoyed it, but for my health and the people around me it was probably better I wasn’t in that environment.”

Chugg said returning to the country scene, where he developed the love of the game with his footy-mad family, has rejuvenated him.

Chugg played two seasons with Collingwood. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos)

“Coming back to local level Wonthaggi as a club has been awesome, and getting back to Longford will increase that love one little step more,” he said.

“Returning to Longford it’s helped me reignite my love for the game. The same with Wonthaggi, they’re a very family-based club and it helped me recognise how good the sport is and what it can do for you.”

“I’ve got to leave it up to Wonthaggi (on how many games I play for Longford) a little bit. “I’ve been lucky enough for them to back me to do this but I’ll definitely play here the two byes (of the Gippsland League), and I hope one or two more.”

SATURDAY

NTFA Premier League round two: Deloraine v South Launceston at Deloraine Football Club, 2pm; Longford v Scottsdale at Longford Recreation Ground, 2.30pm

LYNCH MEDALLIST TAKES BACK SEAT AS YOUNG BOMBERS ASSUME CONTROL

North Launceston and Launceston will play for the Phil Edwards Cup on Good Friday, which takes into account goals from under-12 games up to seniors. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

He’s the reigning Alastair Lynch medallist, but North Launceston coach Adrian Smith says Brad Cox-Goodyer is prepared to step back and let the Bombers’ youngsters take control of the team.

Cox-Goodyer played up forward in last week’s 137-point round one win over Longford. The likes of Sam Simpson, Harry Bayles and even classy goal kicker Brandon Leary, who kicked seven goals in last year’s TSL grand final win, spent more time in the midfield.

Simpson, who played wing last season. was judged best on ground against the Tigers. His game was highlighted by a running 55-metre goal streaming out of a centre bounce.

The 20-year-old joked he “showed a few of my co workers that one,” as he looks to add more layers to his game.

Incumbent inside midfielder Blade Sulzberger has signed with Northern Bullants while Oscar Van Dam (North Melbourne VFL) will only play a handful of games for the Bombers this year.

Simpson is keen to seize the chance it provides.

“I played as that role player last year on the wing, and am pretty happy to step up my game and become more of an influential player,” Simpson said.

“With a handful of players leaving the club a few of us have been tapped on the shoulder and asked to step up.

“I think the boys did that round one, and it’s exciting to see we’ve got new players stepping up into those roles.

“Playing that new role in the midfield I felt like I had more freedom. I didn’t have to worry too much about structure and just play around the football. I felt pretty comfortable.

“He (Cox-Goodyer) looks dangerous up there, he probably has as much impact up forward as he does hanging around the ball.”

North Launceston will take on Launceston in the traditional Good Friday evening clash, which should give them a stiffer test.

The Bombers will win most games comfortably in the new NTFA Premier League, but Simpson said they’re still driven to display their best football.

“The boys are trying to find anything to give us that motivation, which over the years has worked pretty well,” he said.

“It’s a step down from the TSL but outside the league there’s opportunities coming up with the Devils.

“We’re trying to push ourselves and even take it up to the next level and maybe in a few years play VFL.”

North Launceston player Sam Simpson. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Smith is keen to continue to stimulate and challenge his players by giving them different roles

“One of the things we’ve spoken about over summer is providing challenges for our players. Being able to move those magnets and improve their footy holistically is really important to us,” Smith said.

“Brad’s the best player in the state, we all know that. At the end of the day it’s also about development of our group as a whole.

“I’m sure Brad at times this year will play a fair bit of midfield time, but at the moment we’ve got some exciting young players. W

“We saw Sam Simpson’s game on Saturday, he was phenomenal as an inside mid. Beau Nash as a young kid took another step again, even Brandon Leary spent more time in the middle. It’s just honing their craft to be better footballers long term for us.”

“We’ve got a development plan with some of those players. Some of them want to play state footy next year and be part of that Devils program. We’re just trying to help them get more rounded and progress their footy to the highest level they possibly can.”

Cox-Goodyer now works in talent pathways for AFL Tasmania and Smith said he wants to guide the young Bombers as much as possible.

“He’s happy playing a role for us, he knows when the whips are cracking at the end of the year he’ll be vital for us,” Smith said.

“At the moment he’s using his knowledge and understanding to help teach and educate our kids, and he can see that from the forward half of the ground.

“Sam (Simpson) sacrificed his game a lot last year and we wanted to add more midfield time to him.

“On the weekend his power from stoppage was elite. That goal from centre bounce, you’re a pretty high quality player when you can do that.”

Launceston coach Jake Hinds is keen to build on a 77-point win against South Launceston in his first game in charge.

“North are the measuring stick of the competition and to get them in round two to see where we need to get to,” he said.

“You do play to win, but at the same time this early in the year we’re looking at playing our style of footy

“If we’re playing with the right intensity and structure that’s what we’re looking for, we’ll see how we go.”

Launceston coach Jake Hinds. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Why Blues are adamant it’s ‘in our best interests’ to help NTFA rivals

Launceston says their “door is always open” to help rival NTFA Premier League clubs close the gap to the competition’s former TSL teams, adamant it’s “in their best interests.”

The next chapter of their rivalry with North Launceston at UTAS Stadium on Good Friday is timely after an opening round of lopsided results.

Despite a sluggish first quarter Launceston defeated South Launceston by 77 points, while the Bombers crushed Longford by 137.

Blues coach Jake Hinds believes the chasing pack can eventually be successful if they can retain a “young and aspiring” core for a few seasons.

He pointed to Launceston’s lean period before winning three straight TSL flags from 2020-22 as an example.

“Before we won those grand finals our team didn’t really change,” Hinds said.

“We didn’t recruit many high profile players, it grew from within with our group. We were all young, we had a couple year’s experience and then you launch from that.

“Sometimes you do need to get a couple of old heads, but if you keep a core of young players who are aspiring for success it definitely goes a long way.

“Our 2020 team had played almost 70-80 games together. We knew how we wanted to play, and also having that closeness and brotherhood I think is underrated as well.

“I won two games in my first year, and three in the second. You think it’s going to be like that forever, but it comes in waves.

“It’s good you want to win from the start and every kids’ the same, but you have to lay the foundations.”

Launceston director of football Scott Stephens. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Blues president Scott Stephens said the club offering any advice to the long-time NTFA teams is win-win.

“Once upon a time it’d be every man for himself, but it’s in our best interests to have a strong, sustainable and even competition,” Stephens said.

“We’re more than happy to offer our services, and any of our IP or expertise, to assist those other clubs to make inroads.

“It’s going to be hard this year, their improvement is going to come over a longer duration and pre seasons. We also need people who have played at that higher level to go to those clubs and offer the information on what they’ve learned, help instil those good habits and training standards, and help them rise to the level quicker.

“It’s a little hard in season, it’s probably something you’d work on through the off season, but our doors are always open for conversations this time of year. It wouldn’t worry me if clubs are reaching out to (North Launceston coach) Adrian Smith or (Bombers legend) Brad Cox-Goodyer or even Jake Hinds, who’s played that higher level.”

Hinds said they’re prepared to be patient as the new league navigates its teething issues.

“I agree with Scuba (Stephens),” Hinds said.

“The reality is we don’t want to be playing teams and winning by 100 plus points, and North would be the same.

“It’s no good for anyone really. It’s no good for us winning by that much and no good for teams losing by that much. It takes the enjoyment out of footy.

“It’s not so much about going and giving them your game plan, but comments about your program and how you go about it. At the end of the day everyone wants that for Tassie footy.

“It might not come to fruition until that third year, which is fine. It’s a big jump and these things take time.”

The Blues will be without Ethan Conway for the traditional Good Friday evening clash after he was charged with striking during the win over the Bulldogs.

The majority of players from both teams engaged in a melee at half-time, after which Conway was yellow carded.

He was offered a two match ban, which was reduced to one after he pleaded guilty.

Hinds said they were looking forward to testing themselves against the benchmark.

“North Launnie are the measuring stick and still the team to beat. They didn’t lose a game in the TSL last year, and they’ve got however many players in the state squad,” he said.

‘It’s about how we go about things. As long as our efforts and structure are there that’s all we’re looking for, especially this early in the year

“You do play to win and that’s what we’ll try to do, if not we know it’s not the end of the world.

“It’s one of the games you mark on the calendar. Normally you get a good crowd there and I’d put my house on North would be the same, building themselves up for this game and treating it like a mini final.”