Bomber’s praise for repelling Blues’ bid

SAM Siggins has hailed Lauderdale’s defensive efforts for holding firm under a barrage of pressure in the side’s dramatic preliminary-final victory against Launceston.

While the former Adelaide Crows-listed tall was the second-half star — his move into the ruck turned the tide of the contest — it was the Bombers’ ability to limit the scoreboard damage during the second quarter which proved pivotal.

The Blues threatened to blow the match apart after skipping 21 points clear in the third term, before the Bombers returned fire with the next eight majors either side of three- quarter time when Siggins shifted into the middle.

Lauderdale then had to withstand one last flurry from the visitors, who whittled a 27-point lead back to six with several minutes remaining.

“We were definitely under the pump in that second quarter, our defenders stood up strong and made it pretty close going into halftime which was crucial,” Siggins said.

“For us to hold them off going into halftime set us up. When we’re playing good footy we can put the foot down, but sometimes when we are under the pump we have in the past let teams score quite quickly.

“I feel we are maturing as a group and dealing better with those situations.”

Lauderdale’s reward is a third straight showdown with North Launceston.

It will be Siggins’ first grand final at senior level, and he is confident the group can learn from the mistakes of the second semi-final.

“They are obviously a dominant side and if you allow them to do what they are good at, they certainly are hard to beat,” Siggins said.

“Going back to Lauderdale it was something I wanted to do, help the group get there because I know we are good enough to win it.”