North Launceston quickly caused its first boilover eight appearances after joining the TSLW competition last year where it overcame eventual premiers Clarence in a slog that would only involve eight scoring shots under lights.
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The 12-point win has the confidence of coach Dean Smith high, willing on for the return bout at UTAS Stadium.
After keeping its Launceston loss down to a 25-point margin to open the season, Smith has suggested there is no reason why the improvement cannot continue facing Clarence late on Saturday.
"It's going to be a lot more competitive season for every one this year," Smith said.
"Everyone's really capable of beating everyone on their day, whereas last year it was Launceston and really then everybody else. This year it will be very interesting and a really close season.
"We've had our first game together for the new girls and we're hoping second game they've found their feet a bit.
"I thought some of them found their feet in the second half of last game. We've worked on things at training to help them with that."
The Bombers have waited 14 days in between matches.
Smith felt the bye has given his rookies more time to adjust and work on their games.
"For a lot, it was their first game at that level," he said.
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"So now rather than come straight up again, they've had the time to go away, they've had their feedback and it's given them time to get up to speed with what to expect.
"They've seen it now and the test will be when they come out for Clarence if they can match the intensity."
But the second-year outfit did capitulate early during its semi-final, the Roos claiming one of their three victories on the Bombers by 34 points.
Smith said the gameplan is very clear: to defend much better this time around.
"Our aim will be to stay within reach of Clarence to give us an opportunity to stay in the game for the whole game," he said.
"We just don't want them to blow us out of the water.
"We've spoken about it last year in the finals when they came out hard, got that gap, but then we outscored them in the second half."
Smith is still smarting over the one-game ban of Kartley Broad after Launceston submitted in "their own footage" to the match review panel.
"It was a little bit of a blow when she wasn't even reported on the day," he said.
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