BUPA TSL Round 18 Preview
A top of the table blockbuster headlines round 18 Bupa TSL action, while two teams out of the finals race will be looking to shape the make-up of the final five.
Check out all the team selections here.
Saturday 28th July
Glenorchy v North Hobart – KGV Oval (2:00pm)
Last Time They Met: North Hobart 7.7 (49) def. by Glenorchy 18.15 (123) – Round 12, 2018 at North Hobart Oval
Traditional rivals Glenorchy and North Hobart will meet for the final time in round 18, and although on paper it looks like a simple game to tip, there will be plenty of key spectacles to keep an eye on.
Glenorchy remain in the hunt for a place in the top two and will be hoping to bank the four points in this one towards the business end of the season.
North Hobart, despite not being in the race for the final five, have competed well all season with high tackle numbers and impressive pressure. Although results haven’t gone their way, the Dees are one of the most exciting teams to watch at the moment due to the club’s willingness to take the game on and the total buy-in of every player into the game plan.
The likes of Jake Steele, Baxter Norton, Will Peppin and Mitch O’Neill play with great flair and will cause the Magpies some headaches, but expect the stars in black and white – namely Jaye Bowden, Cameron Duffy, Rhys Mott and Zac Webster – to prove too strong.
North Hobart will bring the heat to the contest but with a point to prove and a win needed to stay in touch with the top three, Glenorchy will come out firing and should get the points.
Tip: Magpies by 50 points
Players to watch:
Daniel Joseph (Glenorchy): The architect out of Glenorchy’s back half, Joseph’s elite kicking, nuanced footy nous and ability to lock down on an opponent and become an offensive weapon, makes him one of the competition’s very best defenders.
Jake Steele (North Hobart): The former paddleboarder and basketballer had some type of breakout game last weekend against the ‘Roos, with the Tassie Mariner impressing in the ruck and around the ground. An exciting prospect, Steele’s use by hand and foot was near immaculate, while his tap-work was sublime. Will need to deliver a similar type of performance to compete with Cameron Duffy.
Score updates via the official TSL App for Android and Apple
Updates on the TSL Facebook page, TSL Twitter account
Photos and vision on the official TSL Instagram account
North Launceston v Clarence – UTAS Stadium (2:00pm)
Last Time They Met: Clarence 10.8 (68) def. North Launceston 9.12 (66) – Round 12, 2018 at Blundstone Arena
A top of the table clash will headline round 18 action, with this blockbuster set to be Clarence’s biggest test for the year.
The ‘Roos were inaccurate in last weekend’s win over the Demons, but still managed to dig deep and grind out a win after the round 16 bye.
Clarence pushed the Northern Bombers when the two clubs first met in round four, before upsetting the reigning premiers with a thrilling two-point win when the sides met in round 12.
North Launceston remains the team to beat in 2018 after accounting for the Tigers and Magpies in the last fortnight, with this clash likely to give us all an insight as to how the top two teams in the competition compare.
Mark Walsh, Brad Cox-Goodyer and Josh Ponting are a potent midfield trio, as evidenced by last week’s performance, while the ‘Roos rotating midfield group of Brady Jones, Fletcher Seymour, Troy Cunliffe and Jackson O’Brien (if fit) is one of the best in the competition.
The loss of Jay Foon across half back will also cost the Bombers, with his skills coming out of defence as good as anyone in the competition.
From Jake Cox to Tom Bennett, Jeromey Webberley to Zach Burt and Ryan Bailey to Taylor Whitford, stars will be on display across every line of the ground in a match that promises to be essential viewing.
The Bombers should be too strong at home, but don’t be surprised if like the last time these sides met, the result will go down to the wire.
Tip: Northern Bombers by 18 points.
Players to watch:
Tarryn Thomas (North Launceston): Few players can generate the excitement of draft prospect Tarryn Thomas. The Division 2 under-18 MVP, Thomas played a starring role in the Bombers’ 2017 flag triumph and will be primed for a big finish to this campaign.
Trent Standen (Clarence): A veteran in this Clarence outfit, ‘Speedy’ has threatened to break games open throughout the 2018 season and looks primed for a big haul. Expect him to use the wide expanses of UTAS Stadium to find space and hit the scoreboard.
LIVE Stream of the match via Facebook and YouTube from 6.55pm with commentary from the team at City Park Radio
City Park Radio live broadcast also available on 103.7 FM and 96.5 FM and online
Score updates via the official TSL App for Android and Apple
Updates on the TSL Facebook page, TSL Twitter account
Photos and vision on the official TSL Instagram account
Lauderdale v Tigers – Lauderdale Oval (2:00pm)
Last Time They Met: Tigers 9.9 (63) def. by Lauderdake 13.9 (87) – Round 12, 2018 at Twin Ovals
The Bombers will be breathing fire after being overrun by the Blues last weekend up against a Tigers side coming off the bye.
The Tigers have gone down to the Bombers twice at the Twin Ovals this season, and a clash at Lauderdale will be a difficult task.
The Bombers’ forward group of Jacob Gillbee, Tim Mosquito, Ed Stanley, Thor Boscott and Henry Kerinaiua is enough to give any coach some serious headaches and the Tigers will have their hands full in minimising this dynamic group’s impact – although an injury to Ben McGuinness will be a boost for the visitors.
Lauderdale were restricted to just 10 goals last weekend, however, so the Tigers may take a leaf out of Launceston’s book and try to clamp down on this group.
The Tigers will be hoping to match it in the midfield, however, with Will Campbell, Blake Grant and Lachy Clifford in good form ahead of a duel with Nat Franklin, Phil Bellchambers and Leo Harrison. Expect Harrison to go to one of the Tigers’ gun midfielders.
Keep your eyes on the key match-up between Bomber big man Haydn Smith and Tigers duo Heath Thompson and Hugh Johnston, with all three putting together impressive 2018 campaigns.
Although the Tigers have shown promise across the course of the season, it is tough to see an upset occurring in this one, with the Bombers’ star power and potency inside 50 likely to be too much.
Tip: Bombers by 36 points
Players to watch:
Tim Mosquito (Lauderdale): After delivering one of his best performances of the season in last week’s loss to the Blues, Mosquito looks primed to be a key figure in the lead up to finals, and has what it takes to stretch this Tigers side.
Lachy Clifford (Tigers): A key cog in the Tigers’ midfield engine room, Clifford was dominant when the Bombers and Tigers first met in round four and has been consistently good since. Will need to be at his best if the Tigers are to get on top in the midfield stakes.
Score updates via the official TSL App for Android and Apple
Updates on the TSL Facebook page, TSL Twitter account
Photos and vision on the official TSL Instagram account
