NORTH Launceston faces its biggest test of the State League season so far when it travels to West Park today to play Burnie.
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Both teams are 5-1 and sit second and third respectively with the Dockers keen to avenge their 49-point defeat to the Northern Bombers at Aurora Stadium in round 2.
‘‘It’s one of the toughest places to go and play footy at West Park and with Burnie up and going they are a very formidable outfit,’’ coach Zane Littlejohn said.
‘‘Last year when we went there in round 1 and beat them we had not won there in 13 years or thereabouts so we want to make sure we go down there with the right mindset and with our 22 contributors and put in a really solid effort.
‘‘Every week presents new challenges and this week presents a massive challenge on the road at a smaller ground of West Park against really good opposition.
‘‘We knew we were going to be presented with a lot of challenges during the year and this is just one of those weeks but definitely the biggest one we’ve had so far.’’
Littlejohn said he had full confidence in ‘‘all his soldiers that he takes to war’’ and believed they could put their best foot forward and give the effort required to be competitive.
Their round 2 victory over Burnie would count for little if the players did not turn up with the right mindset Littlejohn said.
The addition of Cameron Cloke gives the Dockers another focal point going forward and will straighten them up with defender Geoff Mohr the likely candidate to line up on him.
‘‘We know the influence that Chris Tarrant has on our group and how he gives a lot of confidence to our younger men and makes them walk that little bit taller so we have no doubt that Cloke will be a real challenge,’’ Littlejohn said.
‘‘We focus heavily on our match-ups down back and we are big on having a team defence and work on those structures hard during the week and it is a big challenge for us this week and a matter of getting down there and getting the job done.’’
Burnie coach Clint Proctor said he believed his team had improved as the season went on and especially in the past two or three weeks when challenged by Clarence and Western Storm.
‘‘Our new system had some new faces with coaches and players and it does take a little bit of time to gel,’’ he said.
‘‘I have a couple of sneaky match-ups that I think might work in our favour but I won’t disclose those.
‘‘We have been working hard behind the scenes on what we need to stop North Launceston doing and the boys understand that and their roles.
‘‘I am looking forward to the challenge and we will find out where we are at for sure.’’