Searching for their first TSL premiership in nine years, Launceston won't die wondering.
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The Blues have taken their game to a new level in 2020 as their core base of 19-year-olds turned 20 and a host of former players returned to the club.
A 5-0 start to the season confirmed the Blues' premiership credentials and it was the second of those wins - a 19-point victory over the Northern Bombers - that has the most significance heading into Saturday.
"I think it was an important milestone - 2013 is a long time not to have beaten North Launceston," coach Mitch Thorp said.
"Both sides are a bit different though since round two, there's a bit more balance in each side and I'm looking forward to the weekend - on paper I think both sides match up well on each other."
The Blues have blooded their recruits throughout the season - Michael Musicka and Tim Auckland played in round two, Tim Jones arrived after the half-way mark and Joe Groenewegen returned in the final game of the home and away season.
Tim Bristow's absence means Groenewegen is the only player named from the Blues' 2011 flag, while Thorp, Jay Blackberry, Jobi Harper and Dylan Riley all played together in South Launceston's 2013 premiership.
"We've got a nice handful of guys that have won a grand final and played in a grand final so there is some experience among the playing group," Thorp said.
"It's a completely different set of circumstances to 2013 - the only similar part for me is the fella beside me [Jobi Harper] was best on ground that day and he's been particularly good in finals so we're looking for Job to lead the way on the weekend."
Tactics pose an interesting question for the Blues.
Jay Foon wreaked havoc as a loose man in defence in round eight, but it was Launceston who out-hunted the Bombers in round two with physical aggression around the contest.
"I think there's a lot of layers that go into a game of footy," Thorp said.
"The effort part of footy will always be there in a grand final, but the tactical part of it will have the largest say in who wins and loses.
"Both sides will go to battle and be nice and physical, but that's only a small part of what Saturday holds - strategy will be a key driver in who wins the game."
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