The Blues went on to bank a fourth victory from five matches when the reigning TSLW premiers bludgeoned their way to a 10.12 (72) to 0.0 (0) scoreline against Burnie.

Gibbins’ disappointment appeared to be less about his side, but the spirit of game.

“The whole game was played in such a defensive manner,” he said.

“We were trying to open the game up a little bit, but it was really hard with all the heavy congestion.

“It’s just really tricky when there’s players behind the ball the whole time.”

The figures back up the coach’s claims.

Launceston had 13 inside 50s in the first quarter.

Burnie had just three entries for the entire game.

The hapless Dockers had barely got the ball past centre wing after half-time.

Gibbins felt justified in saying Burnie’s only intent was to keep numbers behind the ball and keep flooding to stem the bleeding.

“It wasn’t their priority to move it forward,” he said.

“They stayed disciplined, but unfortunately it was a really uninspiring game.”

The visitors to Windsor Park can take no solace either that the Blues were missing Courtney Webb, Daria Bannister, Naomi Celebre, Ebony Barringer, Danica Corcoran and Hayley White in the loss.

Georgia Hill and Dearne Taylor – who was the standout – both kicked three goals and two to Nicky Ristrom.