We must rebuild faith after grand final mess

Bomber’s pledge over losing the plot on the big day

LAUDERDALE has to rebuild its reputation in 2018 after its disastrous, ill-disciplined performance in last year’s grand final, says star defender Josh McGuinness.

Not only was Lauderdale thrashed by a TSL record 87 points by North Launceston, coach Darren Winter was suspended for six games for abusing an umpire and players McGuinness (striking), Thor Boscott (striking), Max Kleverkamp (striking) and Robbie McManus (instigating a melee) were all banned for one match in the aftermath.

McGuinness said the club was out to right the wrongs from that horror day.

“We really let our supporters down and probably the league a little bit,” McGuinness said. “We didn’t go out there with the intention to do that.

“As a really young group the moment got to us and we were three or four goals down and it started getting away from us and we didn’t know how to react because we hadn’t been in that situation before.

“Obviously we reviewed that, we’ve learned from it and now we know if we are put in that situation again, we now know how to act.”

Despite its grand final failings, McGuinness said it was not a performance motivator for the side in 2018 — starting with its clash against fierce Eastern Shore archrival Clarence on Saturday at Lauderdale Oval.

“It is not a driver, or redemption,” the former Brisbane Lions draftee said.

“We know if we can execute our game plan and our game style we can beat any team on the day. We beat every team last year so we know if we can execute that game plan we are a good enough team to win.”

The Bombers will have the chance to unveil their three star recruits from the Northern Territory in Tim Mosquito, 27, Henry Kerinaiua, 23, and Kim Kantilla, 19.

The Roos will also have plenty to play for having been bundled out in straight sets in last year’s finals, including a qualifying defeat at the hands of Lauderdale.

The game starts at 2pm on Saturday.