Couch wary of resurgent Magpies

NORTH Launceston coach Tom Couch expects to face a different beast when the second edition of last year’s TSL grand final rematch unfolds against Glenorchy tomorrow at UTas Stadium.

The two sides met in Round 7 at KGV, where the Bombers held sway for most of the day to emerge with a fourgoal victory. But after ironing out some early-season form issues and finally getting a full complement of players on the park, the Pies are slowly returning to their devastating best.

It was on show last weekend against Clarence, where they walked away from Blundstone Arena with a 23-point victory that impressed Couch, who made the trip south to observe.

“They are probably the form team of the comp, winning five on the trot and a full-strength side, Jaye [Bowden] being the only player out last week,” Couch said. “Their ball movement was very good, they went in against Clarence with a good plan and the players executed that really well.

“I . . . was very impressed with how they are playing.

“Obviously personnel back makes a huge difference when you consider the top-end talent they have, and their ball movement was very quick.”

North enters the showdown after unspectacular performances against bottom sides Devonport and Burnie, needing three quarters to shake off the Dockers at West Park last Sunday.

Yet while slightly disappointed with the brand of football, Couch believes the past fortnight has helped him gauge the depth in his squad.

“From afar we have probably looked ordinary for a couple of weeks, but we think we’ve found a couple of players. That’s a positive,” he said.

“I’d rather have seen a bit more polish and show some more signs of how we want to play [against Burnie], but it was an opportunity to have a look at some of the kids.”