Bombers cleared for winning run to finals

North Launceston will not be beaten again this season in the run into the TSL finals starting on September 2. JAMES BRESNEHAN reveals his TSL ladder predictions with the finals in sight

THERE are six weeks until the business end of the TSL season and, on paper, the 2017 premiership is North Launceston’s to lose.

The Bombers’ last five games — everyone has a bye between now and Round 21 — are winnable for the scourge of the north, and that will be enough to clinch top place on the ladder and, critically, a home second semifinal.

From there, the grand final is one win away and that puts North Launceston into the box seat for its third flag in four years.

By my calculations, North Launces- ton will account for Lauderdale at UTas Stadium this weekend, followed by the Tigers next weekend. Then it is payback time on Clarence, which beat the Bombers at Blundstone Arena in Round 9, with a rematch at UTas.

A bye should be followed by wins over Burnie and Launceston, then it is hello top spot, a week off, and a second semi at home.

North’s main rival for top of the ladder, Clarence, has a tougher run to the finish. The Roos stumbled badly last Saturday against Glenorchy and that cost them top spot.

In its five games. Clarence should account for Hobart City Demons this weekend, Burnie the next, but lose to North Launceston in Round 18, followed by a bye, a win over Lauderdale and loss to Glenorchy at KGV.

Glenorchy should have four more wins between now and September.

The Pies will lose to North Launceston on Saturday then not lose again — wins should come against Lauderdale, Launceston, Tigers and Clarence.

Lauderdale has its eye on a top three spot but the predictor says fourth, followed by an unsuccessful request to AFL Tasmania for a home elimination final.

Launceston should win as many more games as Clarence, but will still finish fifth.

The Blues should be too good for Tigers, Hobart City and Devonport, but power clubs Glenorchy and North Launceston should put them in their place.

Sitting outside the top five, albeit dreaming of a place in the finals, Hobart City will win only one more time.

With the unusual situation of byes in round 18 and 20, the Dees will lose to Clarence, Launceston, Lauderdale and beat the Tigers in the final round to go into the off-season on a positive.