TSL: Launceston to double-team Siggins

Star recruit Tim Auckland returns from a three-week break to partner Joe Groenewegen, who made a successful State League comeback in the round 12 win over Clarence.

The duo will rotate through a forward line which also welcomes back coach Mitch Thorp from a knee complaint.

"We're looking forward to having a two-pronged ruck attack," Thorp said.

"It's the first time this year we've been able to do that and Joe's done a great job to get himself back to playing after breaking his leg in the pre-season.

"They're both good catches above their head and super competitive and that's what you need in finals."

With key big man Haydn Smith out for the season, the Southern Bombers have turned to former Adelaide utility Sam Siggins with great success.

The Blues have first-hand experience of how devastating Siggins can be in the ruck - the 196cm pinch hitter almost single-handedly decided last year's preliminary final result.

He was best on ground in last weekend's three-point win over Kingborough and poses a different challenge to Lauderdale's first-choice big man.

MORE FOOTBALL: 3000 allowed for TSL grand final

TSL: Bombers make tough selection calls, wait on Callow

Brown joins list of Launceston AFLW recruits

Hawk James Frawley retires from AFL

"Siggo and Haydn Smith are different ruckmen but both very good ruckmen," Thorp said.

"Haydn's probably a bit better at his ruck craft than Sam is but Sam's very damaging when the ball hits the ground and particularly at clearance - he had 13 clearances last game so we've got to be on our game.

"He's a match-winner so our ruckmen are going to have to be accountable when the ball hits the ground."

The two sides have each won once at home from their two previous clashes this year, with Launceston winning by 22 points in round four and Lauderdale by 63 in round 10.

Groenewegen, VFL recruit Tim Jones and Jack Tuthill have all come back into the Blues side since round 10 with veteran Tim Bristow, who has sat out since suffering a hamstring injury in round 8, Jack Donnellan and Bowen Pearce next in line for call-ups.

Thorp said his charges had been preparing for Saturday's game almost since the two sides' last meeting.

"We were aware that we were going to finish in the top two from a fair way out, so we've certainly tailored our program and our games based around playing Lauderdale at home," he said.

"Certainly last time we played them we didn't show all our cards - yep they were too good for us, but we feel like our team is in pretty good shape and we're really confident going into this week's game.

"We've reflected and feel like we've learnt something from [the 2019 preliminary final] - certainly our team is a lot different and also the venue of the game was Bellerive last year, it's Windsor Park this year, so certainly there's a lot of change form 12 months ago."

The inclusion of teenage talent Fergus Kenny is the sole change for Lauderdale, who named Josh McGuinness to play alongside fellow co-captain Bryce Walsh in the middle of the ground.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

LAUNCESTON v. LAUDERDALE

Windsor Park, Saturday 2pm

LAUNCESTON

In: M. Thorp, T. Auckland

Out: S. Foley, B. Pearce

LAUDERDALE

In: F. Kenny

Out: W. Francis