Meeting Clarence in Bellerive Oval's first football game in nearly 18 months, North had the game under wraps early in the third quarter thanks to three first-term goals to coach Brad Cox-Goodyer.

But a Kangaroo onslaught, led by three Ollie Preshaw majors, turned the game on its head and a late North fightback was not enough to deny the hosts a 12.1 (73) to 9.8 (62) victory.

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"We kicked the first goal of the third quarter and we were up by 23 points and then by the end of the quarter we were down by 25," Cox-Goodyer said.

"It's frustrating because we played some really good football in the first half and then it's just a lapse - it's going to happen with a new young group.

"One quarter let us down and other than that we're probably walking away with a win which would have been good against what I reckon is the second-best team in the comp.

"We had more scoring shots, so it's just one of those days unfortunately that got away from us."

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The Bombers battled without two of their four rotations for much of the game after first-half ankle injuries to Angus Jefferies and Dan Withers.

Jefferies went down in the opening stages before midfielder Withers, who has been one of the Bombers' best this season, was stretchered off in the second term.

"It doesn't look good for Dan at the moment .. we'll just have to wait and see," Cox-Goodyer said.

"It's not good for him and he's playing some great footy as well, hopefully he's ok."

Cox-Goodyer, Nathan Pearce, Tom Bennett and Jay Foon were among North's best, with young tall Theo Ives making a good impression in his debut.

"He was obviously up against it - they've got some pretty good ruckmen but he competed really well which is all we can ask of a kid coming in and playing his first game," Cox-Goodyer said.

"Disappointed we couldn't get the win for him, but he'll be better for the run and hopefully we can get him one soon."

Clarence 3.0, 3.0, 11.1, 12.1 (73)

North Launceston 3.2, 5.5, 6.6, 9.8 (62)