NORTH Launceston is through to its fourth-consecutive State League grand final after embarrassing Lauderdale by 94 points on Saturday.
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Tom Couch and his comrades were all smiles in the rooms following their 18.21 (129) to 4.11 (35) victory at UTAS Stadium, however, they are fully aware that the job is not done just yet.
The Northern Bombers bullied Lauderdale from go to woe with skipper Taylor Whitford the leading general – booting four goals.
Lewis Hollmer played his finest game in red and black, taking over the number one ruck position from Alex Lee, who was a withdrawal after injuring his hamstring at training two weeks ago.
Tarryn Thomas was his lively self and got the demolition started five minutes into the opening term before majors from Hollmer, Bart McCulloch, Whitford and Brad Cox-Goodyer had North up by 33 points at the first change. Darren Winter’s men were a mess defensively as North’s constant pressure had them fumbling and in an indecisive frame of mind.
Lauderdale were somewhat better in the second term, being outscored 4.4 to 2.7 with Robbie McManus booting his side’s first goal in the 16th minute.
Whitford added another two to his tally, while Ryan Wiggins converted a beautiful set shot to have Lauderdale trailing 9.9 (63) to 2.10 (22) at half-time.
The party continued in the third stanza for North with five unanswered goal to start.
Whitford snagged another from an impossible angle, while Couch made his presence felt before Lauderdale pinched a couple of late ones to be down by 62 points at three-quarter time.
With North well on its way to the decider, Couch called on his players not to let up and they didn’t – holding Lauderdale goalless and piling on four more themselves.
Joint ruckman McCulloch and Hollmer shadowed Whitford with three goals each, while Couch and Cox-Goodyer both finished with a pair.
Jake Pearce was influential around the ground, Arion Richter-Salter and Kailem Baker were damaging off half-back and Jay Lockhart was serviceable in his first match in 11 weeks.
Toutai Havea was honest for Lauderdale but will come under scrutiny by the match review panel for a heavy tackle on Rhyan Mansell.
Nat Franklin and Josh McGuinness can also hold their head high, however, injuries to Scott Hill and Ryan Wiggins would have given Winter some more the think about on the long bus trip home.
“Overall I couldn’t fault the effort, now we’ve got to get ready for a big game in a fortnight,” Couch said.
“Any club would be happy to have Lewie as their number one ruckman but with Al there he’s just had to pinch hit… I’m rapt with his performance.
“Our boys are a really proud group, they fight every minute and that’s what I love about them and I’m obviously proud but they’ve got a game to go.
“We still have to continue to improve on this.”
MATCH RESULT
North Launceston 5.5, 9.9, 14.13, 18.21 (129)
Lauderdale 0.3, 2.10, 4.11, 4.11 (35)
GOALS, North Launceston: T. Whitford 4, B. McCulloch 3, L. Hollmer 3, T. Couch 2, B. Cox-Goodyer 2, T. Mansell 1, J. Pearce 1, T. Thomas 1, T. Bennett 1. Lauderdale: R. Wiggins 2, E. Stanley 1, R. McManus 1
BEST, North Launceston: T. Whitford, L. Hollmer, J. Pearce, A. Richter-Salter, B. McCulloch, K. Wadley. Lauderdale: T. Havea, N. Franklin, J. McGuinness, M. Anderton, E. Whish-Wilson.