Inaccurate but in form: Northern Bombers win to be TSL's last unbeaten team

Taking on Clarence at UTAS Stadium, the Bombers produced 21 more scoring shots but only came away 46-point victors - 10.21 (81) to 5.5 (35).

"We are a really proud group and they've set themselves little challenges - you can tell by their eyes in there that they are really keen to get through the first block undefeated," coach Adrian Smith said.

"We know it's a long season, we know we've got a lot of work to do to make sure that we keep getting better and keep refining our game so our modes of offence are there.

"It's relatively early but we can't complain, hopefully we tick that box next week and set ourselves up for the back half of the year."

North Launceston held the ball in their half for most of the first quarter but were unable to make full impact of it on the scoreboard - kicking 4.8. Two running goals to Sam Simpson, a set-shot from Oscar Van Dam and some Brandon Leary magic on a tight angle gave the Bombers a 26-point lead.

Jack Aherne looked dangerous with several chances but was unable to find the big sticks, while Clarence's Bryce Alomes kicked their sole first-quarter goal.

Bombers coach Smith complimented his side's ability to get the game on their terms early.

"We went to work this week with our pressure and making sure our hunt and ability to control the contest was first-rate and I think that was the case, particularly early," he said.

"We were able to win the footy and get territory and be able to set the game up how we wanted to."

A barnstorming Brad Cox-Goodyer shrugged a tackle to kick the Bombers' fifth and Leary followed suit not long after with a quick snap while in a contest.

With the contest seemingly slipping away from the visitors, Alomes booted back-to-back goals, bringing both his team's and his personal tally to three.

After the half-time break, a 50-metre penalty and subsequent goal to Jack Dolliver made it three in a row for Clarence, shrinking the margin to just 20 points.

However, Declen Chugg replied with a major to steady North's ship before Leary booted his third to calm the seas - taking a 34-point lead into three-quarter-time.

Clarence's Keegan Wylie responded after the break with a classy running major on the arc of 50 and while it was a long wait for the next major, North Launceston's Harvey Griffiths made it worth it with an impressive checkside.

The speed of Mitch Nicholas and Van Dam combined fantastically for the latter's second major of the day, finishing a match on a high for the Bombers.

Van Dam's name was the first off his coach's lips when asked who impressed for the day, closely followed by Alex Lee, who he described as "back to the Alex of old".

The win meant that Smith was able to address his side's goal-kicking woes with a smile on his face.

"Unfortunately we didn't probably kick straight enough, we didn't maximise the opportunities, we had over 60 inside-50s so we had the game in our front half, which is what we want to work towards," he said.

They will face one of their biggest tests of the year next week, taking on Kingborough in a rematch of last year's grand final.

"Kingborough's defensive pressure around the footy [is fantastic] and they are a really contested team, they've got some really strong-marking forwards and they like that physicality," Smith said.

"That will test our team defence, Twin Ovals is always a tough place to play footy ... it's the first time we get down there this year, so it's another opportunity for us to show what we are made of."

The other two round-five matches were played on Anzac Day, with Lauderdale and Kingborough victorious against North Hobart and Glenorchy respectively.

NL best: Oscar Van Dam, Alex Lee, Blade Sulzberger, Fletcher Bennett, Brandon Leary, Mitch Nicholas

Clarence best: James Holmes, James Bealey, Liam Howard, Tom Cleary, Noah Holmes, Ollie Preshaw