Odds against hurt Bombers

LAST year’s TSL grand final still haunts Lauderdale and the Bombers will be without their coach and some of their best players when they take on Clarence at Lauderdale on Saturday.

A huge loss at the hands of North Launceston was not the only negative to come out of last season’s grand final for Lauderdale, with numerous players reported and its coach Darren Winter suspended for six weeks.

Clint Brown will be the interim coach for the Bombers until Winter returns.

Brown believes that the coaching situation will not affect the team and the close relationship between himself and Winter will help keep the transition smooth.

“We work together pretty well on a weekly basis and we are always talking,” Brown said.

“We have pretty much covered everything we need to cover during the week just in case anything goes wrong on the day and we have already talked about what he would like to see happen.”

Other suspensions that will hurt Lauderdale are those of defenders Josh McGuinness and Max Kleverkamp, along with key midfielders Robbie McManus and Thor Boscott.

The Bombers will also be without Dylan Fyfe, who will be playing in the NEAFL this season for the Southport Sharks, based on the Gold Coast.

“I guess when you take Josh and Robbie, who are two of our leadership group members out of the team and you’re missing Fyfe and Thor, who are key midfielders, there are certainly a few holes to fill,” Brown said.

Boscott’s return will take longer than his suspension after he reinjured the foot that caused him trouble last season.

“I hope he is only another six weeks away,” Brown said,

“The doctor’s results have come back and it’s not as bad as last time so he should be back earlier.”