Bupa TSL Round 16 Back of the Week
Round 16 Bupa Tasmanian State League action has come and gone, and we now want to know who you considered to be the standout players from the weekend.
We start with the defensive half of the ground where a Lauderdale gun and a Launceston live-wire impressed.
Rulla Kelly-Mansell (Launceston)
A player that wouldn’t typically feature in this particular segment, Rulla Kelly-Mansell was superb off half back for the Blues on Sunday, finding plenty of the football to generate drive out of the back half.
A sublime talent when on song, Kelly-Mansell used the ball cleanly and swiftly throughout the day, even drifting forward to hit the scoreboard with a goal.
Although capable of turning a game on the wing or at half forward, Kelly-Mansell might have found a niche role for himself across half back with his speed, skills and game sense providing him with the ideal attributes of a damaging weapon out of defence.
Josh McGuinness (Lauderdale)
Although younger brother Ben will rightfully receive plaudits for his seven-goal haul against Glenorchy, Josh McGuinness was arguably just as important in the win.
Playing a lock-down role on Jaye Bowden, McGuinness did well to curb the influence of one of the competition’s best players, backing up a similar effort on Jake Cox last weekend.
McGuinness still found plenty of the ball himself, however, and used the ball as cleanly, efficiently and smartly as ever.
As one of the competition’s most damaging defenders, there is a genuine defensive and offensive balance to McGuinness’ game at the moment that makes him an invaluable asset for the Bombers.
