STORM 12.8 (80)

NORTH Launceston coach Zane Littlejohn praised his players’ character after they fought back from a 20-point half-time deficit to earn a 15-point victory against the Western Storm in a gutsy Anzac Day performance at Aurora Stadium yesterday.

The Bombers were outplayed by the Storm in a low-scoring scrappy arm wrestle in the opening half, but went up a notch in the second half booting 10 goals to four to run out winners 14.11 (95) to 12.8 (80).

‘‘I said to them a lot of sides who are in that situation and down by 20 points at half-time might think it’s a bit too hard but this group showed a fair bit of character and wouldn’t lay down,’’ Littlejohn said.

‘‘We made a few adjustments at half-time and we came out and went up a cog – not just a few players but the whole group.

‘‘I said that the second half could be a defining moment and the most important second half we have played in three years.

‘‘Our group is a new group with new players and it gives them the confidence now that this footy club regardless of the situation it is in can work hard and grind out and win from different situations.’’

Jack Avent kicked two goals to open the third quarter to spark North into life after they looked flat and had allowed the Storm to bully them off the ball in the first half and control the footy.

Littlejohn asked his leaders to stand up at half-time and they did that in the second half as North’s key ball movers got on top and won more of the football – the Bombers kicking six goals to two for the term to set up the win.

Zach Burt pulled down some good marks and booted four goals including three in the final quarter to be among North’s best with Tom Bennett kicking two and providing another good marking target up forward.

Tom Loone was outstanding with his work rate and clean disposal through the midfield running with and keeping Storm skipper Jay Blackberry relatively quiet.

Logan Reynolds, Lochie Young and Jay Lockhart were all good across half-back with Avent, Mark Walsh, Ben Elmer and Geoff Mohr other good players.

Glenn Dawson kicked three to be the Storm’s best goalkicker with Bart McCulloch booting two.

Cody Thorp worked hard in the ruck and Jobi Harper, Thane Bardenhagen and Clinton Drake were other good contributors for the Storm.

North took to the field without Allan O’Sign and lost key defender Andrew Cox-Goodyer in the third quarter to a leg problem behind the knee, which Littlejohn said would need to be assessed.

The loss leaves the Western Storm win-less and on the bottom of the ladder after four games.