Bomber form a threat to Dees

NOW one of the most ruthless teams in the Stage League, Lauderdale is aiming to gun down the Hobart City Demons at Lauderdale Oval today and end the Dees’ Hawthorn-like run towards the TSL finals.

The Bombers started their incredible run winless and second-last on the ladder to third with a win over the Demons in Round 5.

Since then they have racked up a 12-1 win-loss ratio, with the only loss to Clarence at Lauderdale in Round 12.

Lauderdale lost its first three games — it had the bye in Round 2 — and did not get on to the winners’ list until it beat the Hobart City Demons in Round 5, the start of the purple patch.

Going into today’s clash, and bolstered by the return of defender Ryan Wiggins and onballer Phil Bellchambers, Bombers coach Darren Winter is confident his men can get the job done while wary of the young Dees.

“Their run and carry makes them dangerous,” Winter said.

“They are really quick on the outside — that’s where they have chopped us up a few times in the past.

“Last year they smacked us in one of the last games of the year by 10 goals.

“Even this year they gave us a tough time.

“We are fully aware they run really well on the outside and we’ve got to win the contest on the inside, which is probably our strength.

“We’ve got a lot of good inside midfielders so we’ve got to win it in there and use the ball well and don’t let those guys get on the outside of us where they cause a lot of damage.”

The Bombers will have no hesitation ending the Demons’ finals bid.

“Our job this weekend is to win the game and secure a topthree finish, that’s been our goal from the start of the year,” Winter said.

“We certainly won’t be doing them any favours and I’m sure they won’t be doing us any favours.”

A date with the Hobart City Demons is one of Lauderdale’s favourites.

“It’s always a tough battle between the two clubs,” Winter said. “It’s one of the clubs our players love to play against, Hobart City, because it’s such a great contest.”

At Devonport Oval, fifthplaced Launceston needs to beat Devonport to fend off Hobart City’s bid for finals.