Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Aiming for their first premiership since 2000, a loss to Saturday's opponents three weeks ago meant the Sharks had to do things the hard way - something that doesn't bother coach Nathan Lowe at all.
"The loss to Bridgenorth in the qualifying final has been a bonus to us," he said.
"We've come the hard way and it's made our younger guys stand up a bit and know that we got ourselves in that situation and that there is no end now - if we lose we are out, it's a bit of reality for them.
"They've really knuckled down, everyone's been at training three days a week and it's time to go now."
With North Launceston premiership players Tom Bennett, Mark Walsh and Jake Pearce all returning to the club and Launceston's Zac Oldenhof joining the trio, expectations were placed on the Sharks early and Lowe says the grand final berth has met them.
"We had a bit of a slump through the middle of the year and we started to question ourselves as to whether we were making the right decisions with our movements and that sort of thing but it's just reward for effort now.
"With those guys coming back, we did have a bit of pressure on us, we expected to get to where we are right now and to everyone's credit, they built and here we are."
TIME TO DECIDE:
- AFL need to believe, says Brad Green
- Q&A: Chris Fagan on Tasmania's bid for an AFL team
- 'There's a thirst': Brady, Thorp, Sanders talk logistics
- Tasmanian AFL team: Getting the economics right
- Footy pathway needs earlier start: Sanders
- Time for Tas to sever team ties, says former AFL boss
- Editorial: Now is the time to believe
- AFL bid is now or never
- Sign the pledge here
Finding the right mix between the State League recruits and last year's side has been critical for the Sharks after taking a few games to gel together.
"The players we had the past few years have stuck around and this year we've been able to stick everyone we had in 2018 at the club and this year with the likes of Pearce, Walsh, Bennett and Oldenhof coming to the club, there's a bit of professionalism and the younger guys have come through and built on that."
Returning from suspension following a successful challenge, leading goal-kicker Andrew Whitmore replaces Matthew Bennett.
Do you know a junior sports star who calls Northern Tasmania home? Nominate them today.
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Subscriptions are available here.