Eight points shy of Lauderdale with a game in hand, the Northern Bombers could set up a virtual playoff for top spot with a win on Saturday, making amends from a shock loss to Tigers three weeks ago.

The Blues face a similar equation having become the second team to lose to North Hobart the week after they became the second team to beat Lauderdale.

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Four points would render the Blues strong favourites to secure third spot over Glenorchy and redeem the club's most disappointing showing of the season last round.

"It's a little bit of a blessing in disguise I think having North Launny this week," Launceston coach Mitch Thorp said.

"Following last week naturally the boys will be looking forward to the contest.

"They've had the wood over us for a long period now so we're looking to turn that back in our favour."

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Seventeen matches and nearly six years have been and gone since the Blues last beat their Northern rivals on August 23, 2013.

Since that time the Northern Bombers have won four flags and made a grand final, while the Blues have made a preliminary final, two semi-finals, and finished eighth twice and ninth once.

"We've spoken about it at length," Thorp said of the Northern Bombers' run.

"It's something that doesn't sit well with me and we'll be looking to turn it around this week.

"We need to kick the ball better and be more efficient by foot - the first two games this season we haven't done that anywhere near well enough."