The 9.7 (61) to 9.4 (58) result maintained the Blues' top-spot buffer, but equally rubber-stamped their opponent's status as a genuine finals contender.

Jumping out of the blocks, North Hobart led for all of a frugal first half before the game opened up in the third term. The home side had a chance to snatch a famous win late in the game but a set shot by Jye Menzie - who kicked a game-sealing post-siren major for the Tassie Devils last year - fell just short.

Launceston coach Mitch Thorp said his side had again showed maturity in fighting back and holding out a quality opposition.

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"It was a really good standard of TSL footy - they started the game like I thought they would," he said.

"They were two goals up at quarter time and I thought we showed some maturity to swing the momentum back our way by half time and then went on with it in the second half.

"We evened the numbers in front of the ball [in the third term] - North Hobart are a side that like to get numbers behind the footy and start their offence from their defence.

"It was a pretty good standard that third quarter."

Launceston's fightback was led by league goalkicking leader Dylan Riley, who slotted four majors in 15 minutes from a textbook display of contested grabs and boundary line set shots.

"He's a star isn't he?" Thorp said of Riley's third-term cameo.

"Young Sam Collins who played on him did a good job for most of the day, but when the game was there to be won Dylan provided us the target and the goalkicking prowess that we know he's capable of."

Tough utility Jack Donnellan was important up forward with two goals, while teammate Alec Wright and North Hobart trio Nathan Hardy, Callum Kilpatrick and Troy Cunliffe also finished with two.

Others to impress for the Blues included midfielder Fletcher Seymour, who was dominant in his first game back from an ankle injury, and first-year defender Bowen Pearce.

Thorp said the 21-year-old late inclusion was always going to play, with Michael Musicka sitting out following a corkie last week.

"Bowen's had a great start to 2020 and he's been a real asset down back for us," Thorp said.

"Jack Donnellan was also really good in front of the ball - his forward pressure and desperation really typifies the brand of football that we want to be known for."

Veteran Tim Bristow is likely to miss weeks after tearing his hamstring in the opening two minutes, leaving the Blues one less rotation for the match.

Launceston hosts Clarence in an early game next week while North Hobart will travel to Glenorchy as favourites for the first time in recent memory.

Launceston 1.1, 2.4, 8.5, 9.7 (61)

North Hobart 3.0, 3.0, 7.0, 9.4 (58)