LAUNCESTON coach Scott Stephens sees Saturday's State League clash against Devonport at Windsor Park as a test of the character and resolve of his players.
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Following a disappointing performance last week against Hobart City, Stephens said his players needed to bounce back and show they had learnt from their mistakes against the Demons and their previous two losses to Devonport.
"Our physical pressure in general is something we highlighted where we fell down last week and it was a very average performance," he said.
"Devonport are on the rebound after their loss to Burnie and on a six-day turnaround from pretty atrocious conditions down there so hopefully we can get on top of them early and try to run them off their legs.
"Looks like the weather is not going to be great on the weekend but that suits us down to the ground."
Stephens said he expected the Magpies to come out fired up to get a win with their season on the line.
"They need to win their last four games while relying on other results going their way to sneak into the finals so that is perfect for our boys because we want a team that is going to attack us," he said.
"That's been our theme this week, being up to the physical contest, so we will see how both teams respond."
Devonport look like being without coach Mitch Thorp, who may sit out the remainder of the season with ongoing ankle issues after last week's big loss to Burnie.
"In my eyes, Burnie are the premiership favourites with big, strong, mature bodies; in the wet conditions, they were just too strong," Thorp said.
Despite being two games outside the top five, Thorp has not given up hope of making finals.
"Lauderdale play Glenorchy this week, which you'd think Glenorchy might win, and we play Lauderdale next week so the door is still open - but we need to respect Launceston and go in to try to beat them before we worry about anything else," he said.
"We've played them twice this year and beaten them twice but this game is at Windsor Park and we know they can play well there so we must be respectful and make sure that we start the game well."
City Park Radio (103.7 FM) will be broadcasting the game from 1.55pm on Saturday.