The Blues led by four points at quarter time but the Demons kicked four goals to two in the second to lead by seven at half-time and booted seven goals to four in the second half to run out winners 14.8 (92) to 9.11 (65).

Josh Williamson booted five goals for Hobart City and Sean Willis three with Rulla Kelly-Mansell and Sonny Whiting kicking two each for the Blues.

Jesse Maple was the Demons best with Jay Blackberry topping the Blues best players.

“I was really proud of our guys – we knew it was going to be a tough game and we had some things during the week that we knew we had an uphill battle this weekend but the guys fought it out and I thought they played really well and won their share across the ground,” Launceston coach Sam Lonergan said.

“I think our delivery inside 50 could be better – we thrashed them in stoppages but we lacked a key forward again.

“Nathan O’Donoghue rucked for us with Hamish Leedham out with sore knee and not having a key presence they played a spare as well so a quick inside ball hurt us because they had a bigger backman to take marks. Jay Blackberry was good, Rulla had a good first half, Jake Smith in patches, Brodie Palfreyman coming back after a week off and two 16-year-olds debutants in Miller Hodge and Mac Blazely got a taste and played well.”