North Launceston trio keen to make amends for missing out on last year's TSL premiership

Bennett missed out on the premiership after snapping his Achilles tendon in the preliminary final against Burnie.

Lockhart tore the medial ligament in his knee in the final roster round and Roozendaal endured a final week of tribunal drama before famously missing the season decider due to suspension.

This year they have the chance to make amends with the club making their third successive grand final and would love nothing more than to have a premiership medal around their necks on Saturday evening.

“It is a good feeling to actually make it into a grand final and it is pleasing I have the opportunity to play in one this year,” Bennett said.

“It was a long, hard summer with rehab but the body is feeling good now and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”

The 23-year-old said he initially wasn’t sure if he would get back playing this year but completed a rehab that usually takes nine months in just seven.

“I’ve been able to get quite a few games under my belt before the grand final and I think if we play our best footy we can certainly win.”

Lockhart said missing out on the 2015 flag was a huge personal disappointment.

“Doing the injury so late in the year I knew it was inevitable that I wasn’t going to play,” he said. “But it was also great seeing my best mates win another premiership and hopefully we can get the job done again on Saturday.”

A key playmaker in defence for the Northern Bombers, the 20-year-old was super excited about getting the chance to make up for last year’s misfortune.

“I am really keen to be running out on Saturday and excited for the guys who haven’t played in one yet and it’s a chance for them to hopefully achieve some success.” 

North Launceston coach Zane Littlejohn said the fact that the trio missed out on last year’s premiership had been motivation for the playing group this year.

“They grabbed hold of that before the start of the finals series and spoke about them missing last year,” Littlejohn said.

“I know that has been a real driving factor for me to try and make sure they can taste success again as a coach.

“And then I sort of think maybe I don’t watch this game as far as I have done – I sort of have them three in my mind and I think that I owe these guys something because they have worked super hard for me and super hard for our footy club so we owe them that respect.

“Tom Bennett is a prime example – for him to get back within seven months from an Achilles injury is a phenomenal effort.

“To see him when we finished training at 7 o’clock on a Monday or Wednesday and he is still out there doing laps or doing his running program.

“So full credit to him and he deserves every accolade he gets and to have a bit of success would be fantastic for him.”