ZANE Littlejohn. Thane Brady. Taylor Whitford.
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All faces at the forefront of North Launceston’s remarkable transformation into undeniably State League’s most formidable entity.
Several long seasons were spent down the bottom, however, with several tough decisions, change in mindset and rock-solid structures the Northern Bombers have flourished.
And no matter who you ask why has North enjoyed such sustained success, culture is always mentioned.
Two-time North Launceston premiership coach Zane Littlejohn, who will be in Launceston on Friday to watch the young men he helped develop run around in the club’s fourth-consecutive decider, left Tom Couch a Ferrari to drive when he departed to the Brisbane Lions last summer.
And to Couch’s credit with his own ethos and additions, he has driven it beautifully even if the humble former Melbourne midfielder doesn’t admit it.
“It’s the culture… the whole leadership group [that makes North so successful]. I still remember when I met the boys the first time… just the attitude and the behaviour – it just really smacks you in the face,” he said.
“These guys are unbelievable and they’ve been great for me and I absolutely love ‘em.
“Taylor’s [Whitford] the best captain I’ve seen in footy – that’s AFL, SANFL, VFL – and I’ve said that from the start. He drives the show.
“People come and go but while Taylor, Coxy [Brad Cox-Goodyer], Jack Avent, Jay Lockhart, [Mark] Walsh, [Zach] Burt, I’ve missed out [Jake] Pearce and I could name 15 – they’re the reason the club’s successful.”
First year vice-captain, two-time flag winner and four-time grand finalist Cox-Goodyer said he has been impressed by the way the club has continued on under a new coach and with several new faces.
Eight players for North will run out in their first grand final on Saturday.
“It’s really exciting for guys that haven’t played in one like Rhyan Mansell, who when we won our first one four years ago was coming to the footy with his dad as a 13-year-old supporter – now he’s playing in one,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“It was a big transition for a lot of guys who played under the one guy for a lot of years, but it’s been seamless.
“Tom’s come in and made great relationships, brought in some great ideas football-wise and he has been an all-round good guy to have around the football club.
“I don’t think anyone’s got a bad word to say about him.”
NORTH’S FAMILY HISTORY: Connor Young and Rhyan Mansell
Cox-Goodyer also praised Littlejohn, who was part of Brisbane’s NEAFL grand final win last week, for his professionalism and influence.
“It obviously comes back to Zane at the start but it’s all about the buy-in from everyone,” he said.
“You’ve got to have that to have success and luckily we had everyone buy in when Zane brought these systems in and everyone’s just continued to grow and push those standards.
“The young guys see what it’s like, pick it up and hopefully when they’re leaders of the club they continue to drive the success.”
Corey Martin
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
