Wary Demons brace for heavy Blues backlash
NORTH Hobart knows a sleeping giant has been woken and its assignment against reigning premier Launceston at Windsor Park on Saturday will not be the envy of its TSL rivals.
Launceston lost to Lauderdale in round 6 and had a bye last weekend to regroup.
The return of premiership onballer-forward Michael Musicka will make the Blues even more dangerous as they seek redemption, and North Hobart coach Clinton French knows it is a mountain to climb.
French has withdrawn from the team for the first time since round 2 so he can survey the damage, and try to limit it, from the coach’s box.
“We are not going to be focused too much on what Launceston does, we are just looking for improvement within our own club,” he said.
“We are aware we are coming up against Launceston on the road. They are the benchmark team and coming off a loss they will be wanting to put everything into the contest.
“We’ve got to try to match that the best we can and play four quarters of footy.”
Without their playingcoach, North Hobart will look to others to lead the way.
“We are really big on everyone being a leader,” French said. “I know it’s a cliche but we don’t have a leadership group.
“We really put our focus on making sure everyone has the opportunity to step up and I’ll be looking for everyone in the 22 to lead by example.”
A winless Glenorchy faces a tough task against North Launceston at UTAS Stadium with the Northern Bombers going for three wins on the trot after they were flogged by Launceston in the grand final rematch in round 4.
All players will wear green arm bands for Umpires Appreciation round.