Young guns on the run

Speed key as Northern Bombers look to outmatch tough Glenorchy

NORTH Launceston will be hoping to run and gun its way to victory in today’s TSL clash with Glenorchy.

The youthful Bombers will debut their 10th player of the season in the clash and coach Brad Cox-Goodyer said stretching the field would be vital for his side’s chances. “Being able to spread and run is going to be key for us. We’ve got a pretty young list and our strength is speed on the outside,” he said.

He said his side would be challenged by Glenorchy’s toughness at the contest.

“They were able to bring back a lot of experience into their side and that showed against North Hobart (last week),” he said. “They’re pretty dangerous. (With) their best players back on the park together they’re going to get good results.”

Harvey Griffiths will debut after moving from Launceston during the pre-season. While third-gamer, 16-year-old Oscar Van Dam, is in and Oliver Sanders back from North Melbourne VFL duties.

Cox-Goodyer said it was the strongest side he’d put on the park this campaign. He said he was encouraged by the development of the club’s youngsters.

“The improvement is through the roof already,” Cox-Goodyer said.

“We want them to go out and play their own game. We want them to play within our system but also try their own tricks. We’ve already seen rapid growth in five games so to give them another 10 and it’ll be really exciting to see what they can do towards the back end of the year.”

Glenorchy is coming off a solid win over North Hobart and brings in Braydon Patterson, Isaac Manson and Cameron Goodsell.

Pies coach Paul Kennedy was still wary of a Northern Bombers outfit without some of the names that made them a powerhouse of the competition.

“They learned a lesson last year where they tried to spread their best players across the ground and it didn’t work for them as well,” Kennedy said.

“Now you see (Jack) Avent, (Jay) Foon and Cox-Goodyer in the middle, they are real Agraders there, so the challenge hasn’t really changed.

“You let those three and (ruckman) Alex Lee get on top of you, it is a long day.”