TODAY'S State League grand final presents a picture in contrasts as one of the state's most oldest and most successful football clubs with a proud 121-year history takes on one of the competition's newest in Western Storm, keen to write its own history in its inaugural year.
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North Launceston coach Zane Littlejohn has preached all season the message that his side's strength lies in having 22 contributors each week, all playing their designated roles.
That is something the Northern Bombers will have to produce again today against Western Storm if they are to lift the premiership cup.
For Littlejohn grand final success will come from sticking to a tried and true formula.
"We have to be mindful of the experience the Storm have got and they were impressive last week and deserve their spot and Hillsy has done a great job," he said.
"We won't toss the baby out with the bath water, but will stick to what has gotten us here and the important thing is that we have 22 players who understand what they have to do and the roles they have to play.
"As I've said all year, if we do that we will be competitive and win most games.
"There's a few things we will change up since the last time we played them, but we need our 22 contributors and make sure they fill their roles.
"The even contribution we get is our strength - people say Chris Tarrant is a superstar but we don't have superstars.
"We've got three in the Tassie Medal top 10 and our even contribution of our playing list.
"We've got some players that some clubs wouldn't know who they are but they've been fantastic with their consistent performances.
"I've said before we may not be a team of champions, but I firmly believe we're the best team."
Littlejohn said that he and the Bombers had their detractors since he had taken over the coaching role, but they had stuck to their plan and was hopeful that would get them the ultimate prize.
"I think it is just two cross-town rivals and they are new, one-year in existence, and we are 121 years and that creates a pretty unique rivalry in itself.
"Regardless of who we played this week there was going to be a bit of spite from external influences, but we've spoken about being disciplined because that's what wins you grand finals and we won't be going out to right any wrong.
"I didn't care who we played today and we've beaten every team this year so it didn't matter - but full credit to Storm to make a grand final in their first year and to do it the way they have they deserve their spot.
"The season has been a success for us but you don't play to make a grand final you play to win it - and we think our season will be a success come 4.30pm on Saturday if we have something around our necks."
