- RECORD: Played 14, won 12, lost two, finished runner-up.
- HIGHLIGHTS: The Bombers lost to just one team all year, made a seventh-straight grand final and were the TSL's highest-scoring team.
- LOWLIGHTS: Eighteen and 13-point losses to Launceston ended a six-year derby winning streak and a three-year flag run.
- BEST PLAYER: This year's best and fairest will be tough to pick. Josh Ponting, Alex Lee, Brad Cox-Goodyer, Jay Foon and Taylor Whitford all enjoyed good years.
- BEST PROSPECT: Baynen Lowe. Broke into the Bombers' side in round five and asserted himself as a best-22 lock and arguably the best 17-year-old in the competition.
- BEST ADDITION: Flag defender Corey Nankervis returned from a three-year absence and was named full-back in the TSL team of the year.
It will go down as the year of their neighbours, but 10 minutes was all that stood between North Launceston and a fourth-straight State League flag.
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When Tom Bennett crumbed and converted from the goalsquare midway through the last quarter of the grand final, the Bombers were five points up and had one hand on the trophy.
Three goals later, the Bombers were left to ponder a season that had come so close to fulfilling their objective.
TSL FINALS FEVER
Things began slowly when the season kicked off in July - a tight win over North Hobart preceded North's first loss to Launceston in nearly seven years.
Taylor Whitford's Bombers were still finding their groove in a 15-point win over Clarence before a victory at the home of rivals Lauderdale kicked the reigning premiers into gear.
One of several stars to be dropped early in the season, Bart McCulloch bounced back into form with a commanding display while Jackson Callow proved he could be equally influential in defence as up forward.
NTFA recruits Jake Laskey and Dan Withers looked more at home as the season went on, keeping Zach Burt out of finals despite a four-goal effort in round 13.
The 150-gamer wasn't the only high profile player to spend time in the development league as a deep list and the irresistible form of teen sensation Baynen Lowe and Ollie Sanders saw a number of premiership players sent back a level.
Whatever 22 the Bombers named, the wins kept coming and leading into the grand final they had won 11 on the trot and kept their past three opponents to three goals apiece.
Dual premiership defender Corey Nankervis had slotted beautifully back into the backline and with Braden van Buuren, Arion Richter-Salter and Jack Avent teaming up the Bombers conceded 10 goals just once all season.
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An even spread of goalkickers saw seven players kick between 10 and 15 majors but the biggest take-home from 2020 will surely be midfield development.
The Bombers welcomed Josh Ponting back with open arms upon the NTFA's cancellation but weren't content to let he, Whitford and Brad Cox-Goodyer carry the load.
Should any of that gun trio depart in coming seasons, the Bombers will reap the benefits of actively developing midfield heirs Sherrin Egger, Jay Foon, Ben Simpson and James Curran throughout the year.
Come 2021, it's hard to imagine they won't be serious premiership contenders once more.
NORTH LAUNCESTON'S 2020 SEASON
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
