TSL: North Launceston upset Blues in classic derby

Seven months on from arguably the best grand final of the revamped TSL, it was North Launceston who came out on top of a banged-up Blues side.

Having killed off several games by the quarter time already in 2021, the Blues looked lethal in the opening term and kicked five goals in 15 minutes to open up a 22-point lead.

Things got heated when Launceston forward Cody Thorp was reported for a bump on Billy Edmunds before North made some late inroads through Jack Rushton, Harvey Griffiths and Jay Foon to trail by just four points at the break.

North had all the play in the second term but were not as efficient as the Blues going forward, and needed Zach Burt's second to steady the ship 30 seconds from the half-time siren.

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With Miller Hodge, Jay Blackberry and Joe Groenewegen nursing injury complaints into the last term, one of North Launceston's first-year players stepped up to secure victory.

After Jake Smith had reduced the margin to just one point, Declen Chugg caught Jamieson House in possession and converted to restore the seven-point buffer.

The 19-year-old doubled up with a clutch 50m set shot five minutes later to seal the game and take the two sides' 2021 ledger to 1-1.

North coach Brad Cox-Goodyer, who wore a heavy tag from Smith all night, said his side's tackling pressure had proved the difference and praised the efforts of livewire Jack Rushton.

"It's probably our barometer - I don't think we've lost a tackle count and I think we lead the league in tackles," Cox-Goodyer said.

"It's a message I bring to the guys - no matter how skilful you are, if you don't tackle you're going to struggle and if we bring that pressure and intent each week it'll hold us in really good stead.

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"Jack Rushton's pressure in the forward half was something I've never seen before.

"He was just a man possessed to keep that ball inside forward 50 and he was probably unlucky not to kick a couple more goals.

"Alex Lee was super in the ruck, his effort to get up and down the ground was the best I've seen and Jay Foon led from the front as well."

The Bombers travel to North Hobart next week while Launceston enters the bye top of the table with gun trio Jobi Harper, Fletcher Seymour and Mitch Thorp set to return in coming weeks.

Michael Musicka (three goals) and Brendan Taylor were Launceston's best up forward with Jake Hinds impressive once again and Jack Tuthill lively in defence.

In the development league, Launceston dominated the first half before overcoming Brenton Gale's Bombers 10.8 (68) to 4.8 (32).

Arie Schoenmaker and Oliver Chugg both kicked three for their respective sides.

Fletcher Bennett was one of North's best in his first game back from injury while Hamish Leedham kicked two for the Blues.