ALL the stars are back as the State League’s powerhouse clubs look to prove their premiership credentials in Launceston on Saturday.
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What is the second of two 2016 grand final rematches, North Launceston assistant coach Adrian Smith said his charges are well placed to take on its Southern nemesis Glenorchy at UTAS Stadium.
North are on top of the ladder and have ground out wins over lowly-ranked Devonport and Burnie in the past fortnight with a host of household names watching from the sidelines.
“Our last couple of weeks haven’t been the prettiest games of footy but for us it’s been about gaining momentum,” Smith said.
“Some of our younger guys have had that opportunity to play in positions they haven’t played before… this week is going to be a good game of footy, we went and watched Glenorchy last week and they are a really well drilled outfit.
“They were really good, it was probably the most impressed we’ve been with any team this year.”
Coach Tom Couch, Mariner Tarryn Thomas and youngster Karlton Wadley have been included in the Northern Bombers’ line-up along with premiership stars Taylor Whitford and Jay Foon.
The Magpies also regain reigning back-to-back Alastair Lynch medallist Jaye Bowden from a hamstring complaint.
There's definitely a fierce rivalry... it’s worth the admission.
- North assistant coach Adrian Smith
The two teams have fought some serious battles in recent times with North taking down Glenorchy in the 2015 grand final and the Pies earning revenge in last year’s decider in Launceston.
However, in their only dual this season it was North that prevailed by 23 points at KGV.
“Between Clarence and Glenorchy (with North) there’s definitely a fierce rivalry… (and) it’s going to be a good contest – it’s worth the admission sometimes,” Smith said.
“We have managed our players over the past month to make sure that they’re fit and ready to go.
“It was probably against Glenorchy last time when we had our strongest 22 this season and since then we have had enormous changes each week.
“We’ve played close to 40 players but now it’s time to settle and get our patterns right and make sure we prepare for a final series.”
Foon (hand), Whitford and Couch (ankles) have all recovered from injury, while Thomas is well rested following a hectic few months representing Tasmania and the Allies.
Smith said North would need to be hard at the contest and ensure that its forward line functioned to maximise its potency.
The Magpies overcome Clarence last week and sit third on the ladder with 9-4 win-loss record – eight points behind North and the Roos.
Glenorchy have improved following the return of several top-end players in the past month, leaving coach Aaron Cornelius happy with how the defending premiers are tracking.
“They have been low-scoring encounters between the two teams in the past couple of years… (and) I think both teams know exactly how the other team plays,” he said.
“It’s a great test for where we’re at to head North Launceston to play them at UTAS Stadium.
“Matthew Joseph will miss this week due to obvious reasons (suspension)… this rivalry has built up over the past couple of years and these are the games you look forward to playing.
“One thing we have learnt this year is that teams have got in the back of their mind over the last couple of years that they like to beat us and we’ve got to make sure we’re up for that every week, and this is no exception.”
Cornelius said his side would not be reminiscing too much about returning to the same changerooms in which they celebrated last season’s flag.
The match starts at 1pm.