The Blues were torn apart to an 85-point tune by traditional adversaries North Launceston at Windsor Park.

The Northern Bombers completely dominated the round 3 encounter with 25 more scoring shots as Zach Burt (six goals), Tom Couch (five) and Adam Sanders Medallist Brad Cox-Goodyer had the ball on a string.

On Friday night at UTas Stadium, Launceston is hoping to make amends.

Launceston has won three on the trot and will welcome back Stewart Williams but coach Sam Lonergan knows there is a serious challenge ahead.

“I certainly don’t want to lose by 85 points [again] but I think our boys will go out there and have a fair crack,” Lonergan said.

“North have been a fantastic side for a number of years now so it didn't surprise me that we did lose by that... and I expect they will be at their very best against us on Friday night as well.

“I’m sure the boys will go out there and probably at times think about the last game and things like that, that’s human nature to at time worry about certain things.”

Lonergan said his charges had improved in the past month and were reaping the rewards from six months of training.

He said that the Blues’ midfield core would need to at least break even with the Bombers brigade to limit North’s forward 50 entry supply to Burt, Bart McCulloch and coach Tom Couch.

“The work they’re doing behind the scenes is now starting to show in games and that will only get greater as the years go on,” Lonergan said.

“They are a fantastic forward line and It is going to be tough for our backs to hold them.

“On the flip side of that we’ve got a pretty dynamic forward line as well.

“We’ve got some good players in good form at the moment.” 

Rulla [Kelly Mansell]’s had a fantastic game [kicking 7.7], Brodie Palfreyman had 38 touches on the weekend and Jay Blackberry’s a state player and in fantastic form.

​​“We’ve certainly got guys that are going to cause trouble, we’ve just got to make sure those guys are ready to go.”

Couch said his North Launceston side’s physicality in its win over Hobart City last week would be a blueprint moving forward.

The Bombers will enter the match unchanged for the first time this season.

“Maybe we got away from that for a little bit, maybe we tried a few things, maybe we got too fancy for our own good but at the end of they day you’ve got to win it at the coal face and that’s what we did,” Couch said.

“[We learnt last time against Launceston] to shut down their uncontested marks and force them to kick down the line. 

“Last week was a bit of a reminder for the boys. You win the ball out of the centre bounce and things start to happen.

“You can have all set ups and the best plans but if you don’t win the footy out of the middle it’s pointless really.”

Couch said the joint ladder leaders respected Launceston, just like they do Clarence, Glenorchy, Lauderdale and Hobart City.

He is hoping to have Tarryn Thomas, Rhyan Mansell [school football] and Connor Young [glandular fever] back after next week’s bye to tackle Devonport and solidify his best 22 leading into finals.

The match starts at 7pm.

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY round will also pit North-West rivals Devonport and Burnie against each other at Devonport Oval.

The Magpies will be without the suspended Brad Symmons, who has been replaced by Braden van Buuren.

The Dockers were 31-points better off in April and have called on Josh Murray and Jamieson House to try and flip the result around.

In-form LAUDERDALE host old foes Clarence in an important mid-season fixture.

Ben McGuinness is the beneficiary of Thor Boscott’s suspenion, while Roos coach Jeromey Webberley will sit out along with James Brenner.

Zach Mastrocola and Jake Cox have been included in the side.

HOBART CITY and Tigers will face-off at North Hobart Oval with both teams making four changes.