One of the TSL's top big men in recent years, Lee was unusually beaten in round two as Launceston's Timothy Auckland got the better of hit-outs and team involvements.

Since that loss, the former Devonport talent has starred with a whopping 39 hit-outs against Clarence and an impressive 13-disposal showing against Lauderdale's Haydn Smith.

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"He takes getting beat personally and I thought he did get beat against Launceston which [is something] I would say rarely because it doesn't happen," Whitford said.

"So for him to come back following that Launceston game and put in two best-on-ground performances for us probably tells you abut his character and his work since the bye.

"Admittedly it's been fantastic before that, but his concentration and work ethic post-bye has been really good."

Set to turn 25 in a fortnight, Lee has been one of the staples of North Launceston's five-flag era.

"We're lucky enough to have guys outside of our leadership group and we've got some youth in our leadership group with Ben Simpson and the like," Whitford said.

"But to have Josh Ponting and Alex isn't in our leadership group, so to have those players outside of our group to be on-field and off field leaders is really handy for me and the leadership group that we have."

Lee's Bombers host Kingborough at 1.40pm Saturday.

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