Bupa TSL Round 4 Back of the Week

Round four of the Bupa Tasmanian State League season has been run and won, with Lauderdale and Glenorchy standing tall under Friday night lights and North Launceston winning a thriller at Blundstone Arena. 

We want to know who you considered to be the premier defenders, midfielders and forwards of the round.

In this edition we are analysing the defenders, with reigning Matthew Richardson medalist James Holmes and Lauderdale swingman Ryan Wiggins the contenders.

Ryan Wiggins (Lauderdale)

Versatile utility Ryan Wiggins provides plenty of flexibility to this Lauderdale outfit, and he displayed all of this in a strong performance across half- back.

Wiggins played a key hand in the Bombers’ second half resurgence, patrolling the Tigers’ forward 50 to launch several forays into attack.

Wiggins’ size, strength and athleticism saw him become too much for the Tigers forward line to manage, underlining the important role he plays for the Bombers.

Wiggins spent matches of the patch up forward, but the combination of Ben McGuinness at full forward and Ryan Wiggins at centre half back may well be the formula Clint Brown and the Bombers continue to use as 2018 progresses.

James Holmes (Clarence)

Clarence hard nut James Holmes has carried his stellar 2017 form into the new season, continuing to play his vital role as a fearless defender.

Holmes took several brave marks both running back with the flight of the football or cutting across in front of packs.

Holmes also competed well when the ball hit ground level, making life increasingly difficult for his Northern Bomber opponents.

Although the Roos fell two goals short of victory, Holmes stood up as one of the better performers on the day.