North Launceston has restored order with a 91-point win at bottom-placed North Hobart.
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Having toyed with defeat before taking an 11-point win against the same opponent earlier in the year, Taylor Whitford's Northern Bombers were "clunky" but dominant in assembling a 15.16 (106) to 2.3 (15) result.
Whitford said better preparation and the absence of two ex-AFL Demons were reflected in the two winning margins.
"I think we were a lot more prepared for their style of game," Whitford said.
"They're a very one-on-one side, probably a little bit reactive in that way, so I think we were more prepared to what they were going to bring this time compared to last, which was a credit to what they did last time.
"They were down a couple of key personnel with Col Garland not playing and [Sam] Darley through the middle which probably didn't help them, but I think we adapted a lot better this time."
Midfield duo Josh Ponting and Brad Cox-Goodyer (four goals) vied for best-on-ground honours and combined expertly with their coach through the middle, while the experienced trio of Braden van Buuren, Arion Richter-Salter and Jack Avent proved a brick wall for North Hobart's forwards.
Bart McCulloch made the most of being the Bombers' sole tall up forward, kicking a season-high six to take his season tally to 16.
"Bart had a slow start to the year, he missed the first three or four weeks," Whitford said.
"We probably knew it wouldn't come for him until the back end of the year, so it's pleasing to see him start to get a little bit of reward on the scoreboard for the work he's been doing.
"His attitude this year has been really good - he's obviously a leader around our footy club not only with age but experience in games he's played, so it's good to see him start hitting some form at the right time of the year."
The Northern Bombers will meet Lauderdale at UTAS Stadium next weekend for the chance to go top of the ladder.
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SCOREBOARD
- North Launceston 1.5, 8.10, 10.12, 15.16 (106)
- North Hobart 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 (15)
- GOALS, North Launceston :, B. McCulloch 6, B. Cox-Goodyer 4, D. Bannister 2, L. Davies 1, T. Whitford 1, S. Egger 1
- North Hobart :B. Midson 1, N. McCulloch 1
- BEST, North Launceston :J. Ponting, B. Cox-Goodyer, T. Whitford, B. van Buuren, J. Avent, A. Richter-Salter
- North Hobart :M. Yates, J. Charlton, N. Lee, N. McCulloch, C. Kilpatrick, W. Cole
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
