Bombers firing again
A LACK of effort in their last clash against Lauderdale triggered an internal reflecting session which North Launceston coach Taylor Whitford hopes can kickstart a run towards a third consecutive TSL premiership.
Ahead of today’s top-ofthe-table clash at Lauderdale — where the victor will almost certainly be rewarded with the minor premiership — Whitford has revealed the last meeting between the clubs left him as disappointed as he’s been in charge. The southern Bombers headed to UTas Stadium with plenty of mental scarring from consecutive grand final beatings, but emerged with a 37-point victory in heavy conditions which are again expected today.
It left Whitford questioning his players’ desire.
But a team meeting during the club’s Round 17 bye helped iron out some kinks and the group responded with their 18th straight win over crosstown rival Launceston last weekend.
“Post the Lauderdale game at home I think as a group we were quite disappointed with our outing … as a whole 22 we didn’t put together what we wanted to on game day,” Whitford said.
“Whether that was weather conditions, I don’t care to be honest, I just don’t think we showed enough effort to be there with those other couple of sides, the Launcestons and Glenorchys.
“I didn’t think that particular day the effort the guys gave was up to scratch for a side that was sitting in a topthree position.
“We did a bit of reflecting post the bye to just reiterate what is expected from the footy club going forward and what we want over the last part of the year.
“Post that conversation they have been really good, not just our senior group but our develop league side as well.
“Yes we put it together last week, but that’s just one week. We need to build for a month before September and be able to show as a group we can do that.”
Despite the prize of finishing top being the first week of finals off and home ground advantage — albeit at Windsor Park with UTas being resurfaced — Whitford isn’t placing any extra emphasis on today’s meeting.
“I would love to just keep winning and consistently keep building. If we happen to finish on top that’s great, if we don’t I don’t think it is the be-all and end-all.
“Yes we will have to travel an extra couple of times which would be inconvenient but I don’t see it as the be-all and end-all. I just want consistent footy from our side.”