Northern football fans could be about to witness the best of the Launceston-North Launceston rivalry, says Adam Sanders.
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A legend at both clubs, Sanders played in several premierships and earned life membership at North Launceston before coaching the Blues to NTFL flags in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The former Tassie Mariners coach understandably leans more towards North Launceston at present with teenage sons Ollie and Ryley playing for the Bombers' senior and development league sides, but he still holds a soft spot for the Blues.
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"North have had the advantage the past six or seven years, but before that Launceston had the same advantage for a lot of years," Sanders said.
"It was a long time between drinks between North winning [derbies] - I think something like 20-odd games - so it's been a funny rivalry because it's been quite one-sided one way or the other.
"I think this year and maybe last year is probably the only real times in the last 10 or so years that both clubs have been strong at the one time, so if they stay like that it should generate a really good rivalry.
"The way they're shaping up they should be both top-three teams this year."
Much has been made about the two Northern clubs' flag chances this year.
The two sides last met in a senior grand final in 1985, when a Launceston outfit coached by Sanders' uncle Kerry knocked off the Northern Bombers by nine goals at York Park. If premiership favouritism is to be decided on Saturday, Sanders isn't sure which way it will go.
"They've [North] certainly got a tall marking forward line, so I think if they can catch the ball they're going to be hard to stop with young [Jackson] Callow and [Zach] Burt and a few of those boys," Sanders said.
"But in saying that, if they're not catching it, that's where Launceston may be able to expose that a bit.
"They've both got pretty good midfields - North is probably a little bit more experienced and Launceston's forward line has got a few different avenues and different types of players up there, so I don't think there'll be a lot in it, I think it'll be pretty tight."
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