The names were all the same in the 1985 NTFA grand final, just some of the colours were different.
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When Launceston met North Launceston in the penultimate season of the old NTFA, Chris Whitford and Darren Harper both lined up for the Bombers, then known as the Robins.
Thirty-five years on, as the two sides meet in their first grand final since the Blues' 19.22 (136) to 12.11 (83) win at York Park, Whitford's son Taylor will be coaching North while Harper's son Jobi will captain Launceston.
"Dad actually made me aware of it after the [Lauderdale] game," said Harper, who was unveiled as the player of the year earlier this week.
"He played in '85 for North Launceston and funnily enough Sleeper Whitford which is Taylor's dad played in that same game."
A midfielder and half-back, Whitford senior played 150-plus games for the Robins and coached both Launceston and North Launceston, while Harper senior was also more than handy on the footy field.
"He was a good player - he tells me he was pretty good," Harper junior said.
"He was a lot skinnier and quick and could jump and played centre half-forward.
"He'll be there on Saturday, he watches every game and he's a Launceston supporter now."
Harper said he too could have ended up a Northern Bomber but for a change of location as a junior.
"I started my juniors in under-11s at North and then I went to South Launceston because that's where my friends were," the 2013 Darrel Baldock Medallist said.
"He [Darren] was happy with that and that's where I stayed until they were out of the league and now I'm at Launceston."
Launceston's 1985 flag was coached by Kerry Sanders, whose great-nephew Ollie will line up on North Launceston's half-back line on Saturday.
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