BUPA TSL Round 4 Preview

The 2018 Bupa Tasmanian State League is flying into round four, with two matches under Friday night lights and a blockbuster Saturday afternoon clash at Blundstone Arena.

Friday 20^th April

Glenorchy v. North Hobart (KGV) – 7:15pm

Last Time They Met: Glenorchy 10.15 (75) def. Hobart City Demons 3.4 (22) – Round 10, 2017 at KGV

Form Guide (most recent first): Glenorchy – W W B | North Hobart – L L L

Glenorchy enter round four as one of the form teams of the competition after defeating the 2017 grand finalists in the opening two rounds of the season.

The Magpies have match-winners right across the field, with Jaye Bowden, Rhys Mott, Daniel Joseph, Mitch Walker, Callen Daly and Mitch Rainbird starring across the opening two games.

Brayden Webb is set to play his 150th game this weekend. IC: Solstice Digital & Photography

Another star of the team, and the skipper, Brayden Webb, will also be playing his 150^th game in the famous black and white, while Zac Webster will also be playing his 50th, giving the Pies extra incentive to take on traditional rival North Hobart.

The Demons, although young and inexperienced, have displayed plenty of vigour and passion across the opening three rounds of the season with the likes of Jonty Barwick and Callum Kilpatrick impressing alongside leader Hugh Williams.

Although the Demons’ young guns have impressed, it is hard to see them being able to match it with a seasoned premiership hopeful in Glenorchy at KGV.

Players to watch:

Zac Webster (Glenorchy): As one of Glenorchy’s prime movers, Magpie fans will be loving a chance to see Webster at full fitness and in full flight. Precision kicking, terrific composure and the ability to hit the scoreboard underpins Webster’s ability as a footballer and why he is such a handful for opposition sides.

Callum Kilpatrick (North Hobart): At the forefront of an exciting new wave of emerging Demons, Kilpatrick has impressed as a mobile centre half forward early in the season. Glenorchy’s imposing back six will provide another challenge for Kilpatrick, but expect the 19-year-old to be up for it.

Friday 20^th April

Tigers v. Lauderdale (Twin Ovals) – 7:15pm

Last Time They Met: Lauderdale 20.22 (142) def. Tigers FC 7.8 (50) – Round 15, 2017 at Lauderdale Oval

Form Guide (most recent first): Tigers – B L W | Lauderdale – L L L

The Tigers and Bombers will both be eager to record a win under the Friday night lights of the Twin Ovals, with the two teams looking to keep up with the pacesetters of the competition.

The Tigers started the year with a solid win over the Demons before going down to the reigning premier in round two, while the Bombers enter the clash with a 0-3 win-loss record, and will be itching to get on the winners list for the first time sooner rather than later.

Phil Bellchambers will play a crucial role in the middle for Lauderdale. IC: Solstice Digital & Photography

The Tigers are well led by Will Campbell, Marcus Davies, Mitchell Carter and captain Samael Rice, while Eddie Burrows-Cheng and emerging tall Cooper Sawdy provide dangerous avenues to goal.

Phil Bellchambers and Josh McGuinness lead this new-look Lauderdale side, while ruckman Haydn Smith, swingman Ryan Wiggins and on-ball star Nat Franklin will also have key roles to play.

Lauderdale and the Tigers will both be looking to press their finals aspirations in this clash, which although early in the season, looms as a season-defining contest.

Players to watch:

Will Campbell (Tigers): Campbell was a star for the Hobart City Demons in 2017 and has immediately picked up where he left at his new club. Campbell has a knack for finding the football and with the ability to break a tackle,

Phil Bellchambers (Lauderdale): Bellchambers has been a standout performer across the Bombers’ opening three matches, leading the midfield in the absence of captain Bryce Walsh. Bellchambers is equally damaging on the inside and outside of the contest with his dogged determination and solid frame making him a difficult match-up. Will be a key to Lauderdale’s fortunes.

Saturday 21st April

Clarence v. North Launceston (Blundstone Arena) – 2:00pm

Last Time They Met: North Launceston 21.7 (133) def. Clarence 9.10 (64) – Round 18, 2017 at UTAS Stadium

Form Guide (most recent first): North Launceston – L W W | Clarence – W B W

This may be the round in which we learn where Clarence sit in the 2018 pecking order.

The Roos got the job done in round one over Lauderdale before having the bye and overcoming an inexperienced North Hobart side to sit 2-0 after three rounds.

A clash with the reigning premier and flag favourite, however, is likely to tell us whether the Roos truly are a premiership contender in 2018.

We are set to see a vastly different Northern Bombers 22 to what we saw in round three, with the majority of the seven late withdrawals expected to make their returns to the team.

The Northern Bombers possess a potent forward set up. IC: Solstice Digital & Photography

North Launceston’s tall forward set-up of Tom Bennett, Bart McCulloch and Zach Burt is likely to stretch Clarence’s back six, while the midfield battle will also be worth keeping your eyes on as some of the competition’s very best go head to head.

Brady Jones, Troy Cunliffe and Jake Cox have all had standout starts to the 2018 season and will once again play pivotal roles in the Clarence engine room if the Roos are to get the job done this weekend.

Clarence cannot be discounted, but the top talent and premiership experience of this North Launceston outfit, combined with a rare loss at home last weekend, is likely to spur the Bombers to a win on the road in what promises to be a cracking contest.

Players to watch:

Jake Cox (Clarence): Described by Jeromey Webberley as one of the best players in the state after the Roos’ round one win over Lauderdale, Cox is a bona fide star and only enhanced this reputation with a dominant display against the Demons. Expect Cox to move between the midfield and forward 50 throughout the clash.

Brad Cox-Goodyer (North Launceston): After missing in round two, the reigning Alastair Lynch and Baldock medallist returned to the field against Glenorchy and stood out as one of the Northern Bombers’ best. Cox-Goodyer is equally destructive in the middle and up forward and how Clarence go about negating his influence will be fascinating.

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