Launceston forward injured in triumph, McGuinness kicks seven

Enjoying one of his best seasons after missing last year's grand final, Donnellan was hospitalised with a "pretty serious" injury during Saturday's 15.13 (103) to 9.11 (65) win over Lauderdale.

Blues coach Mitch Thorp was hopeful of a speedy recovery for the 23-year-old left-footer.

"We don't know the full extent of it," Thorp said.

"We wish him all the best - he's a super popular teammate with our group, so we're just going to have to wait for scans to come through.

"He's been terrific [this season] and it's will be an obstacle we need to work around."

Fresh from thumping wins over Clarence, Glenorchy and North Hobart, the Blues were dominant in the first three terms.

Cody Thorp (three goals) starred in the ruck and up forward as Fletcher Seymour's grunt work helped establish a 75-point lead while the hosts were kept to just one goal.

Lauderdale star Josh McGuinness had a quarter to remember in the final term - kicking six goals to finish the game with seven - but Thorp was unperturbed by the late flurry of scoring.

"We got ourselves into such a position that we were able to rest [ Jay] Blackberry, [Michael] Musicka and Seymour in the last quarter," he said.

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"Lauderdale did kick a few goals but it was more about the bigger picture - Jay Blackberry has played so many minutes this year that where we can look after him it's really important.

"Michael and Fletcher have both had indifferent programs with injury and a late start to the season and it was really important to look after those guys."

The win keeps Launceston one game and percentage clear atop the ladder heading into next week's Northern derby at Windsor Park.

The Northern Bombers are the only team to have beaten the Blues so far this year, and Kingborough the only Southern side to have come within six goals.

"There's no secrets to it .... we start early in pre-season, train particularly hard, plan particularly hard and there's a lot that goes into it," Thorp said.

"You get what you deserve in footy and our boys have got into a strong position and so have North Launceston.

"It's a mouth-watering game - they're still a force to be reckoned with and they showed us up last game so we're looking forward to the contest.

"There's a lot footy left in this season and the boys are starting to get a better balance of our best 22 together."

Brodie Palfreyman was one of Launceston's best in his 100^th game, while Alex Hevey (one goal) was cheered off in his 250^th game for Lauderdale.

Launceston 5.2, 9.5, 13.10, 15.13 (103)

Lauderdale 0.0, 1.5, 1.7, 9.11 (65)