No side led by more than 12 points in a back-and-forth encounter that looked set to go the hosts' way when Brandon Leary's fourth went through 10 minutes from the final siren.

A boundary line stunner at the 28-minute mark established a one-point lead for the visitors, who soaked up the final two minutes to win 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77).

The result kept Clarence's top-two hopes alive, but did little to dampen the spirits of North Launceston's milestone man.

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"It was a ripping game of footy - the best game of footy I've been involved in this year," Cox-Goodyer said.

"Col Garland kicks a goal on the boundary line when he's not looking at the goals to put them in front with a minute to go - that's just the way it goes.

"I think it showed the best of the State League ... for those people that think the season's done and dusted, it most certainly isn't."

Clarence endured a tough lead-up to the match, with its six Devils inclusions ruled out due to recent Victorian travel.

Another considerable headache soon emerged for Roos coach Jeromey Webberley, with Bombers forward Tom Bennett running loose to kick three goals by the early stages of the second quarter.

One point and an umpiring crew were all that separated the two rivals when a melee erupted at half time, and the action would only get hotter as Clarence broke out to a two-goal lead early in the last term.

Three-straight North Launceston majors pencilled in a result fitting for the occasion before Garland (three goals) popped up with the match-winner.

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"We gave then too much room to kick the footy - they kicked the short ball every time and we were rolling back defensively," Cox-Goodyer said.

"We spoke about it but we just couldn't roll up on them and put them under pressure, so they were moving the ball pretty easily and getting some good inside 50s.

"I thought Tommy Bennett was phenomenal - he started the game unbelievably and probably should have got a few more free kicks than what he did for pushes.

"Brandon Leary was really good as well, and Alex Lee battled really well all day against a team that's got some good ruckmen."

The two sides combined to cheer Cox-Goodyer off the ground post-game.

"I think we've seen over the last couple of weeks, and especially this year, that the Tasmanian footy community is really strong and that we're able to put our rivalries aside when the game's done and dusted, to celebrate things and come together for things as well," he said.

"It was a nice touch and I'm very grateful."

Clarence 3.1 6.7 8.10 11.13 (79)

North Launceston 3.3 6.6 7.8 11.11 (77)