Blues rule out appeal over ban

LAUNCESTON has reluctantly accepted Cody Thorp’s two-match suspension — paving the way for brother and coach Mitch to try to lead his side to back-to-back TSL premierships.

Cody was booked for engaging in rough conduct against Clarence’s Lachlan Borsboom in last weekend’s preliminary final victory, which has set up another blockbuster grand final against arch rivals North Launceston.

The Blues took the Match Review Office’s decision to the independent tribunal on Wednesday night, which upheld the original decision.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Mitch said the club was weighing up the option of having one last roll of the dice and appealing the tribunal’s verdict.

However Mitch confirmed later Thursday afternoon it would accept the ban.

Launceston has confirmed just the one change, with Mitch — who has played just three matches in 2021 — coming into the 22.

“I have distanced myself from it (the decision on Cody),” Mitch said.

“There are 21 other players I need to worry about as well.

“Cody has had a great year, has made team of

the year, played really well last week. He’s disappointed, he has invested a fair bit into the season. I was disappointed, as was Jobi [Harper], as were the rest of the leaders.”

The Blues have not ruled out swinging a late change prior to Sunday’s first bounce at UTAS Stadium, and have the luxury of having its development league side also in the grand final.

Luckless ruckman Hamish Leedham, forward Brayden Pitcher and James Dowling have all been listed as emergencies.

Mitch declared himself 100 per cent fit to see out the contest, despite his lack of football this year and having not

played since round 16 against the Tigers.

“Hamish has had a strong season, played more senior footy this year than he did last year, we are fortunate we have senior players we can call on if need be,’’ he said.

“We will only pick a side that is healthy and across how we want to execute Sunday’s game.

“We probably made that error in the first final to be honest, we probably played two guys who have had reasonably good years who have missed a little bit of footy that weren’t quite ready to go.”

North Launceston is unchanged from the side which shocked the Blues at Windsor Park in the first week of finals.