Yet a home elimination final and a better-than-even chance of progressing to the second round has many excited by how far Mitch Thorp's men can go.

Vice-captain Hamish Leedham, one of 11 Blues to have played every game this season, has enjoyed a front-row seat as the likes of James Gillow, Jacob Boyd, Jack Tuthill and Grant Holt have reinvigorated a side which famously lost A-graders aplenty in the off-season.

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The 23-year-old, 197cm ruckman admitted his side had surpassed expectations in mounting a serious challenge for third spot.

"We thought we were going to go ok," Leedham said.

"We thought we'd win a few games but I think we have surprised ourselves a little bit by where we're sitting at the moment with beating Lauderdale and Glenorchy.

"Everyone's really excited to play finals.

"A lot of the younger guys have gone through the D-league last year winning a grand final so they know what it's like to play a whole year with a group of guys, go through and take that out so everyone's really pumped and excited to see what the final series will bring."

Nearing the end of his sixth year in the Blues' system and his fourth as the club's no.1 ruckman, Leedham has become one of the State League's most consistent big men.

The former Prospect High and Newstead College student played his best game of the year against Clarence last round and will back himself in should September set up a meeting with either of 2018's grand final ruckmen, whom he considers the TSL's best.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

"Alex Lee and I always have a decent battle with the cross-town rivalry so it's always good to come up against him - we're reasonably similar players so it's always a good battle," Leedham said.

"Haydn Smith has been playing good footy and obviously getting a few votes in the players of the year award, he's very physical so he's always a good task down there as well."

Launceston will meet Kingborough at Windsor Park on Saturday.

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