Bombers power away from plucky Tigers
Written by Alex FitzGerald.
Lauderdale has leapfrogged North Launceston into top spot on the Bupa TSL ladder after putting the jets on in a big final term against the Tigers at Twin Ovals on Saturday.
The Southern Bombers led by just one straight kick at the final change after a third quarter charge by the hosts, before restoring order by kicking seven goals to one in a blistering final 25 minutes of play.
Both sides were wasteful in front of goal in an evenly-matched first stanza, with the pressure applied by each defensive unit resulting in some errant kicking inside the respective attacking 50’s.
With the margin at eight points entering time-on before the main break, the Bombers shifted into gear to bang on three fast majors, and despite the Tigers dominating the premiership quarter afterwards, the visitors’ penchant for fast goals would again prove costly for the boys in yellow and black.
While Tigers Coach Trent Baumeler was pleased with patches of the game, he lamented his side’s inability to remain composed in several crucial moments, particularly the final ten minutes of the opening half.
” The good teams punish you for those little mistakes that you make,” he said.
” That switch off in red-time was really disappointing.”
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While his charges responded to an ‘old-fashioned spray’ at half-time, Baumeler conceded the Tigers had too many passengers and as a result, were found wanting at the final siren.
Midfield duo Kieran Lovell and Ryan Matthews both battled valiantly in defeat, while Marcus Gardner toiled away all afternoon against arguably the competition’s best ruckman in Haydyn Smith.
For the Bombers post-match, it was business as usual, as the ladder-leaders belted out the team song on the eight occasion this year, this time with some extra feeling after strong words were exchanged between the two sides following the siren.
Lauderdale Coach Darren Winter praised his players for taking it upon themselves to wrestle back the momentum from the Tigers at the final change, highlighting the offensive switch his charges have been able to flick whenever challenged in most games so far this season.
“The boys finished off pretty well, they were under the pump in the third quarter,” he said.
“The boys, to their credit, regrouped and kicked away in that last quarter.”
“What we’ve been able to do is score goals quickly.”
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“We might get held for a little while but we’re able to pop up with four or five goals at different stages throughout the game.”
Wingmen Henry Kerinauai and Alex Saunders gave the Bombers plenty of drive forward, while veteran Alex Hevey bounced back to vintage form, finishing with three crafty majors including a spectacular banana from the pocket.
Winter saved his biggest plaudits for Bomber defenders Nick Raglione and recruit Ed Trupp, making it clear how highly he thinks of the latter.
“Raglione played on (Elijah) Reardon for a fair chunk of the day, and he showed he can rebound really good and then attack.”
“I think Trupp is the best defender in the competition.”
“He is going really well at the moment and he’s been an absolute bonus to have for us. His closing speed and the ability to thump the ball away and then get on the end of it is really sharp.”
“He had a dislocated jaw last week, so (to play today was) pretty gutsy. I’d like to see him play in the state (Under-25) side this week (against the Vic Metro Under-25’s).”
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Both team will enjoy a rest due to the competition bye, with the Tigers to square off against rivals North Hobart and Lauderdale to duke it out with fellow Eastern Shore rival Clarence in Round 11.
Lauderdale 2.8, 6.8, 7.10, 14.12 (96)
Tigers 1. 4, 1.7, 6.10, 7.12 (58)
GOALS:
Lauderdale : A. Hevey 3, R. Wiggins 2, H. Kerinaiua 1, J. Williams 1, A. Saunders 1, R. McManus 1, S. Burge 1, J. Gillbee 1, B. Walsh 1, W. M. Elliott 1, A. Hill 1, B. Walsh 1
Tigers : T. Carter 2, K. Lovell 1, H. Johnston 1, R. Matthews 1, E. Reardon 1, S. Duigan 1
BEST:
Lauderdale : E. Trupp, N. Raglione, A. Hevey, H. Kerinaiua, J. Gillbee, J. McGuinness
Tigers: M. Gardner, R. Matthews, K. Lovell, T. Carter, B. Rees, M. Davies
