Launceston showcased great resolve and its premiership credentials on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Blues were 31 points behind after just 12 minutes at Windsor Park following an onslaught from Lauderdale, but regathered to produce a resounding 20.15 (135) to 10.11 (71) victory.
Sam Lonergan’s men reclaimed third spot on the ladder with 13 individual goalkickers and booting 20 of the match’s last 25 majors.
A 104-point turnaround.
“It probably wasn’t the ideal way to start the game and certainly in the coaching box you question your preparation for the game,” Lonergan said.
“But we stuck with the process we started the game with and it turned around.
“If we were going to lose today, we wanted them to have to beat us and weren’t going to hand it to them.
“That’s the win they’ve been working for. There’s been noise in the background from an external point of view on our playing group and particular players.”
Launceston snapped a five-game losing streak last week and is rapidly building momentum, while Darren Winter’s men, who entered the match in great form, went missing when the heat was turned on.
The Blues midfield brigade were simply sublime as Chayce Jones, Brodie Palfreyman, Jake Hinds (three goals), 100-gamer Jake Smith and Sam Rundle excelled.
Rulla Kelly-Mansell (two goals) was elite off half back, while forwards Mitch Thorp (three) and Dylan Riley combined for five majors.
Launceston dominated the contested ball after the first 20 minutes following a six-goal-to-three first term and turned a 16-point deficet into a 8.11 (59) to 7.5 (47) half-time advantage.
The Blues were slightly wasteful with 5.3 to 1.2 for the second term and Thorp led the way with 1.3 – his 50th goal of the season.
The hosts continued to be much cleaner and creative in the third as Lauderdale lost all ability to move the ball with any confidence.
Jobi Harper, Smith, Hinds, Jones and Thorp made it eight Blues goals in a row and five for the quarter as the margin blew out to 42 points.
Southern Bomber Henry Kerinaiua booted his second and his side’s first goal since the 11-minute mark of the second term to have them trailing by 34 points with a quarter to unfold.
Ed Stanley converted two either side of Riley’s second and before Kelly-Mansell doubled up running off half back to squash any chance of a comeback.
Lauderdale only managed four goals after quarter time, while the Blues piled on five, five and seven in the respective terms.
Joe Boyce finished with a couple, while Robbie McManus is the only Bomber that put in complete effort.
“The guys worked hard and when the ball was there to be won they played football, and football always wins out,” Lonergan said.
“We had 43 inside-50 entries and finished with 35 scoring shots, which shows the way we’re entering is strategically well thought out.
“Chayce is too good for this level of football… Jake Smith is getting back to his best, Tim Auckland in his second senior game competed brilliantly and gave our mids a good look at it.”
Launceston has the bye next week, while Lauderdale face Tigers.
Northern Bombers brush off Pies
North Launceston proved too strong for Glenorchy at KGV for the second time this season, winning 13.14 (92) to 8.7 (55).
However, Northern Bombers premiership defender Jay Foon was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for x-rays and scans after being heavily tackled in the second term.
Skipper Brad Cox-Goodyer finished with a six-goal haul – some courtesy of free kicks – but may have re-injured the same hamstring that hindered him earlier in the season.
The visitors led at every change with midfield trio Cox-Goodyer, Mark Walsh (two goals) and Josh Ponting earning kudos from coach Taylor Whitford.
Tom Bennett again worked hard at centre-half forward to convert three goals.
“It was pretty boggy in the middle so I spoke to our boys about grinding it out. We started to get a hold of the game halfway through the second and dominated clearances with Brad, Mark and Josh really getting on top,” Whitford said.
“We were able to get the ball forward to either kick a score or get a stoppage and didn’t let it out easily.
“Al Lee was really good again, Tommy Bennett hit up all day… up against some quality defenders in Harrison Gunther, Daniel Joseph and Josh Grant.”
Whitford said the club was unsure about Foon’s scan results.
“It’s a bit scary really, anything to do with the head and neck you have to be so cautious with,” he said.
The Magpies best were Joseph, Rhys Mott and Mitch Rainbird, while Harry Parker and Jaye Bowden ended up with a couple of goals each.
Kangas hold firm
Clarence overturned a two-point half-time deficit to overrun a gallant North Hobart 13.22 (100) to 10.7 (67) at Bellerive Oval.
Alex Silver, Chris Nield, Taylor Williamson and Jake Cox booted two goals apiece for the Roos, while Sean Willis and Callum Kilpatrick did likewise for the Demons.