Tasmania's onslaught of wet weather and extra AFL games has concocted the perfect storm for TSL finals aspirant North Launceston.
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Sitting just one game clear of third-placed Clarence, the Bombers have again been forced to train on Invermay Park's equestrian track this week and could still be locked out of their home ground for another few weeks.
UTAS Stadium will host a Hawthorn-Brisbane clash this weekend - forcing North's development league and under-18 clashes to be relocated to Rocherlea - with Collingwood a chance to visit the following weekend before the Western Bulldogs' arrival in round 22.
Coach Brad Cox-Goodyer said the lack of proper training sessions was evident in his side's slow start against North Hobart last round, but credited his players for putting a brave face on things.
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"We haven't trained properly in three weeks and it looks like it's going to be the same for the next three weeks," Cox-Goodyer said.
"We were out there [Wednesday] night but we didn't really get anything out of it because it's just a mud pit - we won't do that again.
"There's nothing we can do about it unfortunately - we've tried to get other grounds but nothing's working at the moment - it's a very frustrating time."
The Bombers have included Ryan Whitney, Lockie Mitchell and Matthew Cossins for Saturday's 3pm clash, with Alex Lee and Jack Rushton to be given until after the bye to recover from injuries.
Victory would do plenty for North's top-two hopes, but a revived Lauderdale side has won two on the trot.
"I think having Haydn Smith back helps them a lot with his ruck work and their good players are playing well," Cox-Goodyer said.
"They're pretty motivated at the moment - [Allen Christensen, Bryce Walsh and Josh McGuinness] have signed on for next year which helps the morale of the playing group so it's a good test for us.
"We've just got to play the cards we're dealt and do our best."
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FULL TEAMS
NORTH LAUNCESTON v. LAUDERDALE
UTAS Stadium, Saturday 3pm
NORTH LAUNCESTON
- B: J. Avent, C. Nankervis, B. Van Buuren
- HB: F. Bennett, Z. Burt, R. Whitney
- C: N. Pearce, B. Cox-Goodyer, M. Stingel
- HF: H. Griffiths, T. Bennett, B. Simpson
- F: T. Donnelly, W. Edmunds, B. Leary
- R: J. Edmunds, M. Walsh, J. Foon
- Int: M. Cossins, E. Hubbard, L. Mitchell, O. Van dam
- Emg: H. Bayles, A. Bourne, D. Chugg, B. Mitchell
In: R. Whitney, M. Cossins, L. Mitchell
Out: R. Sanders, B. Sulzberger, D. Chugg
LAUDERDALE
- B: O. Shaw, W. Poland, J. Williams
- HB: W. Francis, T. Sookee, J. McGuinness
- C: L. Paton, A. Christensen, R. Sutton
- HF: N. Raglione, T. Martin, T. Ratcliffe
- F: F. Kenny, H. Richmond, E. Stanley
- R: H. Smith, S. Siggins, B. Rolfe
- Int: L. Arnold, L. Hodoniczky, N. Shaw, B. Steinbauer
- Emg: N. Franklin, L. Gallagher, B. Kingston, J. Westell
In: N. Shaw, L. Arnold, B. Steinbauer,
Out: A. Hevey, S. Tilley, B. Kingston
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
