TSL: North talls miss, Sanders back for second senior game

The duo have filled key posts at either end of the ground this season, with Elmer averaging two goals a game as the Northern Bombers' lead-out forward and Donnelly a regular fixture at full-back.

The pair's absence and Ben Simpson's Tassie Devils call-up has paved the way for young trio Jack Lanham, Oliver Sanders and Jaidyn Harris to show their wares at senior level against the 0-5 Demons.

Sanders has not played senior football since debuting as a late inclusion in North's Gastrogate loss to Glenorchy early last season, while small forward Harris also spent most of last year in the development league.

Coach Taylor Whitford said he was thrilled for Sanders to have earned another call-up to the top-flight.

"He's in the Devils program, he's 17 this year and he's done a lot of the Devils' pre-season so we haven't seen much of Ollie," Whitford said.

"He's played a couple of DL games, he injured his ankle early so he didn't really get a run at it - he probably would have played senior footy before now if he'd had a run at it.

"He played a game last year when the illness was in ... so realistically it's his first chance that he's earned his spot in the senior group so that's really good.

"He'll play midfield for us, he's an elite disposer of the footy and he runs really well so we're really looking forward to giving him his opportunity."

North Hobart coach Richard Robinson responded to last week's 12-goal loss to Clarence by making six changes, the most notable being the inclusion of former Melbourne Demon Colin Garland.

Robinson hinted that another former AFL talent in Sam Darley could be sent to firing Northern Bombers skipper Brad Cox-Goodyer, who has collected four player of the year votes in the past two rounds.

The 2017 Alastair Lynch medallist has kicked as many goals in his past two matches as the Demons have in theirs, but the Northern Bombers are far from expecting a rollover.

"They haven't won a game this year but I thought their first half against Launceston was great, I was down there to watch that live and I thought they played some great footy," Whitford said.

"They've done it in patches so I guess we've go to be prepared that they're going to do it all day.

"They're young, they run well, they link up and they're quite dangerous in front of the footy so we're going to have to prepare for that physically and mentally."

Saturday's game starts at 2pm at UTAS Stadium, and will be followed by North Launceston's TSLW clash with Clarence from 4.45pm.

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