BUPA TSL Round 21 Preview

The final round of the Bupa Tasmanian State League season is upon us and it promises to be a beauty as teams compete for places within the top five for the final time this season. 

Check out all the team selections here. 

Launceston v Glenorchy – Windsor Park (2:00pm)

Last Time They Met: Glenorchy 15.10 (100) def. Launceston 7.10 (52) – Round 14, 2018 at KGV Oval

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

This should be a beauty.

Two of the competition’s most talented sides going head to head on the eve of finals should make for an exciting spectacle, particularly with both teams in the midst of hot streaks of form.

The second-placed Magpies will travel to Windsor Park to tackle the Blues and with both sides sitting as two of the competition’s in-form sides, this should be the perfect appetiser ahead of September action.

The midfield battle will be immense, with the Webb brothers, Ben Kamaric, Rhys Mott, Brodie Palfreyman, Chayce Jones and Sam Rundle going head to head a fascinating proposition.

Glenorchy’s defensive group will need to be on song to curb the influence of a dangerous Launceston offence, with the Magpies facing the daunting task of silencing Launceston’s deep forward line and the Blues needing to clamp down on the Magpies’ dangerous back six, the architects of many an offensive foray.

Home ground advantage will help the Blues, although the Magpies will take confidence after falling short by just one point in their last meeting at the venue, while the omission of Dylan Riley will also see the Magpies breath a sigh of relief.

Having said this, the Blues should be too strong and will get over the line – but not by enough to close the gap and move into second place on the ladder.

Tip: Blues by 12 points

Players to watch:

Ethan Jackson (Launceston): An inclusion this week for the Blues, Jackson has had an impressive 2018 season for the Blues, Tassie Mariners and Allies and looms as an ace up the Blues’ sleeve heading into finals. A versatile talent with tidy skills, expect Jackson to put his hand up for a tilt at finals football with a strong performance.

Daniel Joseph (Glenorchy): The joint leader for the RACT Insurance Player of the Year award, Joseph has been an inspired figure for the Magpies all season. A key defender that is just as damaging offensively, Joseph will have a big role to play against such a potent Launceston outfit.

LIVE Stream of the match via Facebook and YouTube with commentary from the team at City Park Radio.

City Park Radio commentary also available via 96.5 and 103.7FM in the Launceston region.

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 North Launceston – Lauderdale Oval (2:00pm)

Last Time They Met: North Launceston 12.16 (88) def. Lauderdale 9.8 (62) – Round 14, 2018 at UTAS Stadium

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

It has been a long time since the southern Bombers have hosted the Northern Bombers at ‘the Tip’ and this occasion should prove to be a fascinating insight into where the two teams sit heading into finals.

North Launceston and Lauderdale have developed a fascinating rivalry in recent times, and with finals just around the corner, expect this clash to be a fiery encounter.

Lauderdale can still potentially finish as high as third and lock in a second chance come the finals, while North Launceston hold an unassailable lead as the minor premiers.

With the Northern Bombers having the bye last weekend and the first week of finals off, this match is going to be critical for the side to put its best foot forward heading into a tilt at back-to-back flags.

North Launceston were humming heading into the bye, and having lost just two games for the season to date, it is hard to go past the Northern Bombers, but if one side has the potency in attack or the ferocity to take a game away from the reigning premiers, it could be this Lauderdale side.

Thor Boscott, Jacob Gillbee, Tim Mosquito, Henry Kerinaiua and a rotating cast of other figures make Lauderdale’s forward line one of the most dangerous in the competition, and if this group can get on top, the southern Bombers might be able to cause an upset.

North Launceston’s class should rise to the top, however, with Taylor Whitford, Josh Ponting and Tom Bennett all looking to be in sparkling touch.

The return of Brad Cox-Goodyer will also be crucial for the Northern Bombers, with the skipper needing game time ahead of the finals.

Tip: Northern Bombers by 24 points

Players to watch:

Nic Baker (Lauderdale): The exciting draft prospect has spent more time rolling through the midfield in recent times and has emerged as a key cog alongside Phil Bellchambers and Nat Franklin. Capable of drifting into defence or inside 50, Baker will have a big say on how the Bombers fare.

Taylor Whitford (North Launceston): The joint leader in the RACT Insurance Player of the Year award heading into the final round, the North Launceston coach will be looking to finish the regular season on a high ahead of a rest in the first week of finals. In rich goalkicking form, Whitford looms as a key figure for Lauderdale to lock down on.

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

Clarence v Tigers – Blundstone Arena (2:00pm)

Last Time They Met:  Clarence 15.12 (102) def. Tigers 8.7 (55) – Round 14, 2018 at Blundstone Arena

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

An injury-depleted Clarence outfit will be tested this weekend against a Tigers outfit with nothing to lose.

The Tigers, out of finals contention, will throw everything at the home side this weekend, and with Clarence having a raft of stars on the sidelines – including Jackson O’Brien, Taylor Williamson, Gabby Chambers, Matt Ling, James Holmes, Jake Cox and Fraser Turner – the visitors will see a big opportunity to cause an upset.

The ‘Roos have been shaky in recent times after a strong start to the season but still remain a chance to pinch a spot in the top three and a double chance for the finals.

Tigers are not without their own injury troubles, but with just one game remaining for their campaign, will be poised for a big showing. The returns of Lachie Gadomski and Oliver Burrows-Cheng from school footy duties will also be a big boost, while Mitch Carter’s final game in the yellow and black will also give the side extra motivation to see him off on a good note.

Despite having some key injuries and omissions, the ‘Roos have far too much riding on this game and will arrive with plenty of intent.

Tigers to push all the way, but for the ‘Roos to sneak home late.

Tip: Roos by 20 points

Players to watch:

Chris Nield (Clarence): Facing his former side for the third time, Nield has emerged as a key avenue to goal in the red and white this season. The ‘Roos leading goalkicker, much will rest on Nield’s shoulders this weekend and come finals.

Lachie Gadomski (Tigers): After an invitation to attend the AFL’s ‘Rookie Me’ combine, Lachie Gadomski will be making the most of every opportunity he has to impress, and a final round clash with the ‘Roos on the wide expanses of Blundstone Arena would be a terrific opportunity to do just that.

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