McGuinness flies high after injury setbacks

AFTER two injury-riddled years in the AFL system, Josh McGuinness is finally stringing together some consistent football as he looks to help pilot Lauderdale into its first TSL grand final.

The dashing defender was picked by Brisbane in the 2014 AFL draft, but a foot stress fracture and hamstring injuries curtailed his time at the Gabba, and he was cut at the end of last season.

He rejoined his junior club and after a slow start to 2017 he has recaptured the form which originally caught the eye of the Lions as a teenager.

McGuinness was named at centre half-back in the State League team of the year this week, but his entire focus is on Launceston today at Blundstone Arena as the Bombers look to avenge last Saturday’s horror show against North Launceston.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time back here. I love the footy club. I missed it while I was away. All my mates are here,” McGuinness said.

“I felt I started pretty slowly, obviously I hadn’t played a heap of footy the past two years, but I’m starting to get some continuity back into my game.

“I was more focused on helping the team through leadership at the start of the year, and I think my second half of the year has been reasonably strong. I’m starting to get that consistency back, and I’m able to help the team out offensively and defensively.

“I’m feeling a lot more comfortable as the season has gone on in my position and I think the team has shown that as well.”

While the Bombers are desperate to respond after their second semi-final nightmare, the Blues have stormed from fifth to stun Glenorchy and Clarence in consecutive weeks.

McGuinness is determined to ensure the giant-killing run ends today.

“We probably went in thinking we were going pretty well and North Launnie touched us up a bit,” he said.

“They [Launceston] have some challenges for us. We will do our homework and look at their past two games and look at where they have won and we will try and counter that.

“If we can play our game we are reasonably confident we can look after the game.”