NORTH Launceston’s State League season is on the line when they host Lauderdale in a do-or-die semi-final and battle of the Bombers at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.
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The Northern Bombers need to knock their Southern counterpart out of the finals or face an embarrassing straight-sets exit from the premiership race and an end to their quest for back-to-back titles.
There will be no more second chances for the reigning premiers after losing last week’s qualifying final to Burnie, but coach Zane Littlejohn was confident his side could make amends and keep its flag hopes alive.
‘‘You don’t like to rely on second chances anyway, and I have said before that you get what you deserve,’’ Littlejohn said.
‘‘Our first quarter and a bit last week wasn’t good enough and we probably got the result we deserved, so we are really keen about bouncing back and being really positive about this week and the task ahead.’’
The Northern Bombers lost their only meeting against Lauderdale this season by a point in round 3 after leading for most of the day, with the Southern Bombers coming from behind to snatch an unlikely victory.
‘‘That sticks in our players’ minds and there was a bit of hoo-hah in the game, so it was a really good thing for them to remember and the feeling of losing,’’ Littlejohn said.
‘‘Lauderdale are a good side and we will have to be on our game and ready to go because they will be confident and know they can beat us, because they have done it before.’’
North play their best football on their Aurora Stadium home ground but Littlejohn said regardless of where the game was played, the expectation was for his players to give their best and play their role for the club every time they pulled on the red and black jumper.
‘‘We need to start the game well, because you can’t win a finals game if you give an opponent a five-goal head start and play our brand, our way for four quarters,’’ he said.