The Dockers went into the seventh round level on points with the Northern Bombers and Lauderdale, but now find themselves alone in second place after the surprise defeat of Lauderdale at the hands of Launceston.

Played in perfect conditions at West Park the game was an engrossing battle between two teams with finals aspirations and the 28-point victory meant for a change of fortune for the Dockers in recent encounters against the Northern Bombers.

An unlikely win at West Park last year was the Northern Bombers first for 13 seasons and earlier this season they inflicted the Dockers only defeat so far with a 49-point win at Aurora Stadium in round 2.

Last night it was the Northern Bombers who took the early initiative with a goal from Allan O'Sign in the opening minutes.

But it provoked a response from the Dockers who went on to kick the next four goals of the quarter to set up a match-winning lead.

With Andrew Lee and Chris McDonald effective on the forward line the Dockers had a two-pronged avenue to goal and the Northern Bombers defence was forced to work overtime.

Burnie led by 24 points at half-time, but met a fiercer Northern Bombers line-up after the long break.

The Northern Bombers lifted their work rate in the third quarter mainly through the efforts of Logan Reynolds, Jay Lockhart and Taylor Whitford, but the Dockers, to their credit, were able to answer every challenge and maintain the advantage.

Former AFL player Cameron Cloke made a guest appearance for the Dockers and kicked his only goal of the game after a free kick in the third quarter, but the 30-year-old also spent some time in the ruck and provided the team with plenty of options.

Daniel Roozendaal was tireless in the ruck for the Northern Bombers having to contend with Cloke, Jason Laycock and former Smithton big man Tyrone Morrison at different times and although he was among his team's best the height and strength of the Dockers was a telling factor.

The Dockers next face Devonport in the second of their North-West derbies after winning the first on Good Friday by 50 points.