Reformed batsman Luke Pomersbach has successfully exorcised his personal demons and fought his way into the Queensland side – twice.

But Western Australian coach Justin Langer believes Pomersbach will still want to “prove something” when he lines up against his former side in their Sheffield Shield clash starting in Perth on Friday.

Perth-raised Pomersbach left for Queensland at the start of the 2011-12 season to sort his life out after alcohol-related discipline breaches at WA.

He thrived in Brisbane and helped the Heat claim the Big Bash League Twenty20 domestic title last season, booking a berth in the lucrative Champions League (CL) in India.

However, Pomersbach was forced to pull out of September’s CL due to personal issues.

Back in the right frame of mind – and form – Pomersbach was the first man picked after Bulls opener Greg Moller succumbed to an ankle complaint ahead of the WA clash.

“I am sure Luke will want to prove something,” Langer said.

“He has had a tough couple of years.

“We will treat him with respect. We know he is a dangerous player.”

Pomersbach is not the only left-handed veteran batsman set to turn heads at the WACA.

WA’s former Test batsman Marcus North is the top Shield run-scorer with 589 at 117.80 – not that Langer sounds surprised.

“Since he was a youngster I have said he is the sort of bloke you’d pay to watch bat. It’s nice to see him playing well,” Langer said.

North’s rare form helped WA record their season’s first outright win – an innings and 38 run romp over Victoria completed on Monday.

WA joined three teams on eight points behind leaders NSW (12pts) and South Australia (10pts) while Queensland is dead last with two points.

But Langer warned: “Any team that has (James) Hopes and (Chris) Hartley in the middle are hard to beat. They are real street fighters.

“They are the current champions. They know how to win. They will be tough.”