Just two games into both a delayed and reduced TSLW campaign and already North Launceston feels a degree of pressure of missing finals.
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That sounds oddly more ridiculous in a shorter five-team competition this year when the Bombers only have to avoid the wooden spoon to finish inside the final four.
But ahead of their third game, coach Dean Smith just simply adds, "it's pretty much an elimination final" against Tigers on Saturday.
The Kingborough-based side has also yet to register a win ahead of the first of their two meetings for the year.
"We definitely have to get on the board, but so do Kingborough, so it should be an interesting clash," he said.
"And with only five teams in it this season, we're really fighting for fourth spot.
"I know this will be only three games in, but it's only an eight-game season. We've played two games and we're a quarter a way through it."
Smith has told the Bombers outfit that finished fourth last year in a maiden TSLW year ahead of Tigers and Lauderdale that they have to take advantage of the home clash.
Reigning TSLW premier Clarence looks stronger than its grand final performance and Glenorchy has already beaten up Launceston, who won 16 games on the road to last year's grand final.
"It's pretty much for us and Kingborough an elimination final," Smith said.
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"This game doesn't decide it because we will play Kingborough once again and that will probably decide it.
"I'm hoping we are going to turn the tables on a couple of the other teams as we get more into the season.
"As it stands now, if Kingborough got over us, we'll be looking down the barrow for the rest of the year."
Among the tough words, Smith has to work out how to jump start its shaky attack.
The Bombers are yet to kick a goal, let alone kick off a campaign with a first win.
"I think in the two games, we have had around about 25 forward entries for only a few points," Smith said.
"Really it is about wanting to retain possession of the football and maintaining it inside our 50 until we score, which is what Launceston did against us real well once they won centre clearances.
"So our centre clearances have been pretty good, so the mids have been going well in that area and matching it with other teams, but that's where it stops.
"We run one way but not running the other way when it's over.
"That's not a lack of fitness but more of a mental thing."
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