Mid-season #BUPATSL standouts

We find ourselves just over halfway through the 2019 Bupa Tasmanian State League season, with every side having played 10 games (and Lauderdale and North Hobart with 11). 

So, ahead of a big home stretch, we take a look at some of the standout performers so far this season.

DEFENDERS:

Harrison Gunther (Glenorchy): Gunther has continued his strong 2018 form into the 2019 campaign, consistently holding down a key role in defence. Has added further attack to his game in the absence of the injured Daniel Joseph. Has also captained the side in the absence of Brayden Webb and Josh Arnold. Games: 10, Times in Best: 3, RACTI POTY Votes: 1. 

Josh McGuinness (Lauderdale): The star Bomber has worked his way to top form in recent weeks, delivering his trademark intercept marking and run and carry off half back. Captained the Devils U25 Rep Team. Games: 11, Times in Best: 6, RACTI POTY Votes: 8. 

Edward Trupp (Lauderdale): The first-year Bomber has been a revelation, performing key roles as both a key defender, and at times, a key forward. Capable of shutting down the competition’s best small and tall forwards. Selected in the U25 Devils Rep Team. Games: 11, Times in Best: 6, Goals: 3. 

Jake Smith (Launceston): One of the Blues’ most consistent performers, Smith has fulfilled shutdown roles – like against Aiden Grace in round nine, while also generating attack from half back. Games: 10, Times in Best: 5

Callum Kilpatrick (North Hobart): Developing into one of the competition’s most promising half backs/wingmen. Finds plenty of the football and uses it well, with selection in the Devils U25 Rep Team great reward for the 21-year-old. Games: 11, Times in Best: 6

Jay Foon (North Launceston): We know what to expect from Jay Foon at this point and he hasn’t disappointed. One of the competition’s most consistent performers, and damaging mid-sized defenders. A crucial member of a strong North Launceston outfit. Games: 10, Times in Best: 6, RACTI POTY Votes: 3

Arion Richter-Salter (North Launceston): The defender is having another consistent season, playing a crucial role as both a lockdown and rebounding defender. Won the Sanders Medal as best afield in the round four Launceston derby.Games: 10, Times in Best: 4, RACTI POTY Votes: 4. 

Braden van Buuren (North Launceston): The former Devonport player has slotted seamlessly into life as a Northern Bomber, immediately becoming a staple out of defence. Games: 10, Times in Best: 5

Marcus Davies (Tigers FC): The Tigers’ leader has been in strong form across half back, finding the football with ease and setting up attacking forays from across half back. Games: 10, Times in Best: 8 

Lochie Griggs (Tigers FC): The young gun missed the entirety of the 2018 TSL season due to stress fractures in his back but has roared back in 2019 to be one of the competition’s most reliable and dynamic half backs/wingmen. Games: 10, Times in Best: 4, RACTI POTY Votes: 4, Goals: 5. 

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MIDFIELDERS:

Brady Jones (Clarence): The Clarence skipper has been tireless in 2019, leading the way for a young ‘Roos outfit. The season hasn’t been overly fruitful for his side, but Jones’ own form is as strong as ever. Games: 9, Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 6, Goals: 1

Ben Kamaric (Glenorchy): Kamaric has taken his game to another level in 2019, quickly becoming one of the comp’s premier mids. With sharp skills and elite speed, Kamaric has hardly put a foot wrong. Games: 10 , Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 5, Goals: 4

Rhys Mott (Glenorchy): Mr Consistent for the Magpies, Mott has been as integral as ever to the Magpies form, utilising his elite skills up and down the wing. Games: 9 , Times in Best: 6, RACTI POTY Votes: 4, Goals: 2

Sam Rundle (Glenorchy): The former Blue has become a key midfield cog at KGV, adding further experience to an already impressive group. A prolific ball winner. Games: 8, Times in Best: 6, RACTI POTY Votes: 2, Goals: 3

Phil Bellchambers (Lauderdale): An inside beast with a knack for hitting the scoreboard, Bellchambers already has 10 goals to his name – his equal second highest tally for any season. Games: 11, Times in Best: 3, RACTI POTY Votes: 2, Goals: 10

Sam Siggins (Lauderdale): Has taken the competition by storm as a big-bodied midfielder. Consistently racks up big numbers and provides ruck support to Haydn Smith. Games: 11 , Times in Best: 6, RACTI POTY Votes: 10 , Goals: 3

Nat Franklin (Lauderdale):  The midfield bull has been quietly putting together another consistent campaign, highlighted by a 34-disposal effort against the Magpies in round 12. Games: 11 , Times in Best: 4, RACTI POTY Votes: 3, Goals: 4

Jobi Harper (Launceston): The 2018 TSL Team of the Year backman has been in stellar touch as a midfielder in 2019, standing up to fulfill his role as co-captain. Averaging a goal a game, Harper can break a game open. Games: 10, Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 5, Goals: 10

Fletcher Seymour (Launceston): The former ‘Roo has been a bull on the inside for the Blues all season, emerging as one of the competition’s best midfielders. Sits in the top four for the RACTI Player of the Year Award. Games: 10, Times in Best: 4, RACTI POTY Votes: 9, Goals: 3

Sam Darley (North Hobart): The high profile recruit has been at his damaging best for a young North Hobart side, consistently racking up high-disposal returns. Used as a key user in defence and as a stronger body in the middle, Darley has been sensational. Games: 10, Times in Best: 9, RACTI POTY Votes: 6, Goals: 7

Josh Ponting (North Launceston): The reigning Lynch Medalist has again been one of the competition’s best midfielders, and a leader in arguably the competition’s best midfield group. Games: 10 , Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 5, Goals: 5

Taylor Whitford (North Launceston): The playing-coach has been a genuine weapon both through the middle and as a forward in 2019. Sits sixth on the Hudson Medal leaderboard. Games: 10, Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 8, Goals: 18

Kieran Lovell (Tigers FC): The former Hawk has been a class above in his first season back at Tigerland, immediately stamping himself as one of the competition’s most explosive players. An elite user with the capacity to find the ball all around the ground. Games: 10, Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 5, Goals: 9

Ryan Matthews (Tigers FC): The midfield bull has been a crucial cog in the Tigers’ engine room, with his ability to extract the football from contested situations his trump card.  Games: 10 , Times in Best: 6, RACTI POTY Votes: 5, Goals: 2

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RUCKS:

Cameron Duffy (Glenorchy): The tall Magpie has again been one of the competition’s standout ruckmen, providing a mobile target around the ground. Games: 10, Times in Best: 2, RACTI POTY Votes: 2

Haydn Smith (Lauderdale): The big Bomber has been one of the competition’s form ruckmen and currently sits second for the RACT Insurance Player of the Year. Games: 10, Times in Best: 4 , RACTI POTY Votes: 11, Goals: 4

Hamish Leedham (Launceston): The Launceston vice-captain is putting together another strong campaign, working tirelessly as the side’s main ruckman. Games: 10, Times in Best: 4, RACTI POTY Votes: 2

Alex Lee (North Launceston): The Devils U25 Rep Team ruckman has been as consistent as ever, regularly being regarded as a key reason behind his team’s success. Adjudged best afield on two occasions for the RACTI Player of the Year award. Games: 10, Times in Best: 6, RACTI POTY Votes: 6, Goals: 1

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FORWARDS:

Jaye Bowden (Glenorchy): The Glenorchy stalwart has remarkably kicked 24 goals so far this season – the third most in the competition – despite spending time in all areas of the ground. Showing no signs of slowing down. Games: 10, Times in Best: 8, RACTI POTY Votes: 8, Goals: 24

Callen Daly (Glenorchy): The pocket rocket has been as lively as ever in 2019 with 21 goals from 10 games. Kicked just 20 goals in his breakout 2018 campaign. Games: 10 , Times in Best: 4 , RACTI POTY Votes: 4, Goals: 21

Aiden Grace (Glenorchy): Dynamic in his return to the Bupa TSL, Grace has emerged as one of the competition’s best forwards. Has 26 goals from 10 games, including multiple goals on eight occasions. Impressive mark and competitor at ground level. Games: 10, Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 6, Goals: 26

Mitch Thorp (Launceston): The Launceston coach and reigning Hudson Medalist has had a strong start to the year, kicking at least one goal in all but one game he’s played – including one bag of six.  Games: 9, Times in Best: 4, RACTI POTY Votes: 5, Goals: 22

Henry Kerinaiua (Lauderdale): The livewire Bomber has again dazzled in 2019, impressing with his crafty goal sense. Has kicked multiple goals on five occasions. Games: 11, Times in Best: 3, Goals: 13

Jacob Gillbee (Lauderdale): The former Gold Coast Sun is on track to back up his 33-goal 2018 campaign with 15 goals to date, despite spending time as a defender in recent weeks.  Games: 9, Times in Best: 2, RACTI POTY Votes: 2, Goals: 15.

Dakota Bannister (North Launceston): Bannister may not attract the same plaudits as some of his higher profile teammates, but is putting together an impressive body of work this season. Has kicked multiple goals on five occasions, including his last four games. Also used as a midfield rotation. Games: 8, RACTI POTY Votes: 1, Goals: 14

Brad Cox-Goodyer (North Launceston): The RACT Insurance Player of the Year and Hudson Medal leader has essentially done it all in the Bupa TSL and looks eager to do it again. The North Launceston captain has been a force both in the midfield and as a forward, starting the year in breathtaking form. Games: 10, Times in Best: 7, RACTI POTY Votes: 13, Goals: 31

Bart McCulloch (North Launceston): Rated by his skipper as the best key forward in the competition, McCulloch has overcome a delayed start to the season to be one of the comp’s in-form forward targets. Has kicked goals in every game he’s played, including bags of five and six. Games: 6, Times in Best: 1, RACTI POTY Votes: 2, Goals: 16

Tyler Carter (Tigers FC): Carter has already kicked more goals this season than any other year he’s played in the TSL. Has kicked multiple goals on five occasions, including a bag of four against Clarence in round seven. Games: 8, Times in Best: 2, RACTI POTY Votes: 3, Goals: 13

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