Bupa TSL Round 8 Midfielder of the Week
Round eight of the Bupa Tasmanian State League season saw the Demons break through for their first win of the season, North Launceston stamp its authority as the competition’s premier outfit and Clarence bounce over the Bombers in the Eastern Shore derby.
After such a big round of action, we want to know who you considered to be the round’s standout defender, midfielder and forward.
We now shift our attention to the midfielders, with the North Launceston coach continuing his impressive campaign and a Clarence superstar delivering a best afield performance.
Taylor Whitford (North Launceston)
Taylor Whitford’s impressive season continued in the reigning premiers’ defeat of Launceston, running amok in the middle of the ground.
Hitting the scoreboard with a goal, Whitford worked brilliantly off the likes of Josh Ponting and Mark Walsh through midfield, with the Bombers’ ever-potent forward line of Brad Cox-Goodyer, Tom Couch and Tom Bennett being provided silver service for much of the afternoon.
Up against one of the competition’s deepest midfields, Whitford and North Launceston gained control at the coalface and underpinned Whitford’s standing as one of the best players in the state, and the Bombers’ standing as the competition’s big dog.
Two votes in the RACT Insurance Player of the Year count sees Whitford move to outright leader in a tight race.
Jake Cox (Clarence)
As one of the competition’s most talented players, Jake Cox lived up to this standing against the Bombers for the second time this season, delivering a dominant display.
Cox started the game impressively but went to another level in the second half, booting three goals, including the sealer – a roving snap from the pocket.
Cox’s x-factor in front of the big sticks was matched by his roles around the contest and his willingness to drift back and impact the game, as evidenced by a strong contested grab in defence in the final term.
