Wrest Point TSLW Round 15 Preview

Round 15 of the Wrest Point Tasmanian State League Women’s season sees Clarence and Launceston go head to head at Blundstone Arena in what should be an exciting match between second and third on the ladder, and Glenorchy return from the bye to take on Burnie at KGV in a challenging match for the Dockers, writes TSLW Digital Reporter Olivia Clayton.

Catch up on what happened last time these teams met in round 10.

Sunday 5^th August

Clarence v. Launceston (Blundstone Arena) – 1:30pm

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

Last Time They Met: Clarence 7.4 (46) def. Launceston 2.9 (21) – Round 10, 2018 at Windsor Park

Clarence hosts Launceston at Blundstone Arena in round 15, with the two grand final threats meeting for the third time this season. In round five Clarence won by 19 points at Oatlands and then again in round ten by 25 points at Windsor Park.

Sophie Pennicott and Natalie Heggie kicked two for Clarence and Darcy Elliston, Tarn Ford and Saasha Hinks kicked one apiece in round 10, with Jessica Minifie, Katherine Johnson, Natalie Heggie, Tarn Ford, Rachel Long and Bronte Scott the team’s best players.

In what promises to be an important match with finals around the corner, Clarence coach Andy Smith is looking forward to the challenge.

“We will continue to develop our game plan on a big ground at Blundstone Arena, [and] get some quality game time in some of our younger players against a strong opposition to help with their development.

Zoe Claridge and Georgia Hill kicked one goal each for Launceston back in round 10, with Meg Sinclair, Ashlee Carey, Chevy Thuringer, Meg Radford, Ange Dickson and Brooke Thurlow all impressing.

The Blues face a big test in Clarence. IC: Solstice Digital

Launceston coach, Alex Gibbons, says “we are starting to get a few of our players back which is really good timing.”

“This week against Clarence we get to play on Blundstone which we are very thankful for and excited about. The midfield battle is where it will be won and lost on the weekend and it promises to be a pretty entertaining game. We won’t have a full squad to choose from but starting to get a deeper squad together and ready to go head to head with them.”

Players to Watch:

Rachel Archer (Clarence): In 2017 Archer played 10 matches, was named in the best players four times, and finished as best on ground for the Roos once. This year Archer has played nine games, kicked one goal and been named in the best players four times, finishing as best on ground for Clarence in round eight against Glenorchy. Archer has maintained steady form this season and should continue to be a dependable player for the Roos leading into finals.

Kate McLaughlin (Launceston): McLaughlin played six matches in 2017 and kicked one goal. In 2018 McLaughlin has played ten games, kicked one goal, been named in the best players four times and finished as best on ground for the Blues twice this year. In round seven, coach Alex Gibbons commended her efforts, “’Kiwi’ was our best player. Her output and work-rate was at a level we want to see every week and [she] really took hold of our midfield.” McLaughlin’s rapid improvement this season could make her a dangerous player for other teams.

CLARENCE v. LAUNCESTON

Round 15- 05/08/2018

1:30PM – Blundstone Arena

Clarence

B: G. Mitchell, R. Archer,

HB: K. Johnson, L. Ochayi, G. Pennicott

C: B. Goward, B. Scott, J. Minifie

HF: T. Bortignon, D. Elliston, H. Scott

F: T. Ford, R. Long,

R: C. Wells, N. Bresnehan, J. Farrow

Int: S. Hinks

Launceston

B: A. Carey, N. Ristrom, H. Whyte

HB: C. Thuringer, M. Sinclair,

C: C. Stanley , D. Taylor, C. Webb

HF: M. Binns, A. Green, M. Radford

F: E. Manix-geeves, G. Hill,

R: B. Thurlow, M. King, A. Dickson

Int: Z. Claridge, A. Halaby, K. McLaughlin, C. Taylor

Emg: M. Smith, B. White

Sunday 5^th August

Glenorchy v. Burnie (KGV) – 1:00pm

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

Last Time They Met: Glenorchy 12.10 (82) def. Burnie 4.4 (28) – Round 10, 2018 at Wivenhoe Showgrounds

Ladder leader, Glenorchy, will return from the bye in round 15 to host the developing Burnie Dockers at KGV.

Glenorchy and Burnie have played each other twice this year, with the Pies winning in round five by 96 points at KGV, and then again by 54 points at Wivenhoe Showgrounds in round 10.

Nietta Lynch kicked four goals for the Pies in round 10, with Meg Jacobs also booting three.

The Pies best players on the day were Holly Ryan, Tahlia Strong, Lynch, Jacobs, Sarah Skinner and Gemma Allan.

Hannah Martin (Ulverstone) and Sarah Cotton (Wynyard) kicked two each for Burnie on that day, with Chloe Haines, Emily Duncombe, Libby Haines, Lauren Stevenson, Martin and Cotton among the better performers.

Burnie coach, Richard Mulcahy, says “this week against the top team our focus is to get all players to contribute in a tough challenge.”

The Dockers will be eager to take it up to the ‘Pies and remain in the race for finals football, while the Magpies have an opportunity to maintain a grip on top spot.

Players to Watch:

Gemma Terry (Glenorchy): Terry played 13 matches in the 2017 season, kicking one goal and being named in the best players three times, including two best on grounds. This season Terry has played ten games, kicked two goals and been named in the best players three times. Terry is a reliable player who should continue to play consistently this week against Burnie.

Kaytlyn Johnson (Burnie): Johnson played nine matches last year and did not feature in the best players. In 2018 Johnson has played eleven matches, kicked two goals and been named in the best players twice, finishing as best on ground for the Dockers in round 12 against Launceston. Coach Richard Mulcahy said Johnson was a “standout on the day.” Johnson has shown great improvement from last season and is definitely a player to keep an eye on in future matches.

GLENORCHY v. BURNIE

Round 15- 05/08/2018

1:00PM – KGV Oval

Glenorchy