THE clash between Ulverstone and Launceston in the Northern Tasmania Football League on May 10 might not be a meeting of traditional rivalries but is sure to be a heated contest.

The two clubs are 100km apart and both have longer rivalries with other, closer clubs. But in terms of recent seasons, you will not find a more exciting contest in the league.

The two faced off in last year’s Grand Final, which Launceston won by 12 points, a match Ulverstone coach Max Brown rates as among the best he has seen in his 12 years as Ulverstone coach.

“It was a great day and very high scoring. About 18 minutes into the final quarter it could have gone either way,” Brown said.

Launceston is one of the traditional power clubs of the NTFL, having won the past two premierships.

With Adam Derbyshire and Scott Stephens  returning to the club after stints with the Tasmania Devils in the VFL, the side looks even stronger.

Derbyshire is just three goals off becoming Launceston’s highest ever goal scorer.

But he has plenty of support in front of the big sticks, with Sonny Whiting joining the club this year from South Launceston. Whiting booted 77 goals for the Bulldogs last year and is a valuable acquisition for the reigning premiers.

Ulverstone will be led by star utilities Jarrod Gale and Trent McCrossin, who finished in the top two of their best and fairest last year.

At the time of writing, Launceston is on top of the ladder, undefeated with a percentage of 326.6 while Ulverstone is in fourth place.

Brown said Launceston was the benchmark of the competition.

“It would be them and Burnie that are probably the teams to beat,” Brown said.

“There’s a bit of a distance between us but there is a lot of respect between the two clubs. If we can get a few more wins over the next couple of weeks it should be a good contest.”