Pies hold off determined Dees

Glenorchy have overcome a powerful challenge from North Hobart to run away 23-point winners at North Hobart Oval.

The Magpies ran over the top of the Demons, booting seven goals to three in the final quarter, Bupa TSL Digital Reporter Grant Jessup writes.

North Hobart made a promising start, kicking the first two goals of the game and keeping the visitors goalless in the first term.

Midfielders Sam Darley and Nathan McCulloch were impressive in the opening term with the Demons dominating stoppages.

Glenorchy fought back strongly in the second quarter, winning the centre clearances and kicking three goals in a row.

Magpies Cam Duffy and Sam Hall took control in the ruck battle, providing plenty of supply to midfielders Ben Kamaric and Rhys Mott.

Despite missing plenty of opportunities in front of goal, the Magpies took a nine point lead into the main break, having kept the hosts goalless in the second term.

The third term was a tale of two quarters with the Pies booting three goals in a row and seemingly on the verge of running away with the contest.

Aiden Grace was becoming a handful for the Demons defence with the junior Hugh Williams working overtime to control the dangerous forward.

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Impressively, the Dees made a late charge, kicking four of the next five goals in the third term.

A huge major from Colin Garland after the three quarter-time siren, put the Demons within three points.

Despite this valiant effort from North Hobart, Glenorchy took complete control in the final term, booting seven unanswered goals.

Tensions were threatening to boil over in the final quarter with no love lost between these two sides.

The Dees finished the testy final quarter with three majors in row.

One of these goals came from Sam Darley after a free kick and 50 metre penalty due to ill-discipline from the Pies.

Grace finished with five majors, putting him on the top of the Hudson Medal leaderboard, with five rounds remaining.

Glenorchy veteran Clinton French kicked three majors in his 150th senior game for the black and white army.

Defender Harrison Gunther was also terrific in the backline, holding key forward Colin Garland to two majors.

Devils youngster Thomas Reeves made a notable return to the Demons side, booting two goals.

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Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy said he was pleased with his side’s response after being challenged by the Demons.

“They [North Hobart] made us work hard today.”

“Our focus today was four quarters of really hard footy,” Kennedy said.

“It was a good step in the right direction.”

Kennedy was impressed with the performance of Ryan Banks-Smith, who went one on one with Demons midfield star Sam Darley.

“We gave him the challenge of, not tagging, but going head to head with Sam Darley.”

“Not only did he do a good defensive job, he got a heap of the ball, his run was sensational,” Kennedy said.

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North Hobart coach Richard ‘Bear’ Robinson said that momentary lapses of concentration cost his side dearly.

“We had two really bad 10 minute patches, one in the second quarter and obviously the first ten minutes [of the last term] they got the first three centre clearances, kicked three goals.”

“A few of guys were just thinking about themselves rather than the team as a whole,” he said.

Robinson praised midfielder Brad Tilbury for his tagging role on Rhys Mott.

“I thought Tilbury did a reasonable job on Mott.”

“I didn’t think Mott’s influence on the game was huge,” he said.

In a major blow for the Demons, young gun Callum Kilpatrick suffered a hamstring injury in the third term.

“He’s a couple of weeks with a hamstring, which is disappointing,” Robinson said.

“We’re going to miss his drive off half-back.”

Up next:

North Hobart hosts the in-form Launceston on Saturday afternoon at North Hobart Oval.

Glenorchy travels to Blundstone Arena for a Saturday afternoon clash against old rivals Clarence.

North Hobart 2.4, 2.6, 7.9, 10.14 (74)

Glenorchy 0.4, 3.9, 7.12, 14.13 (97)

GOALS

North Hobart : T. Reeves 2, C. Garland 2, S. Darley, C. Ransom, N. McCulloch, N. Lee, A. Keeling, B. Tilbury

Glenorchy : A. Grace 5, C. French 3, B. Kamaric, S. Reeves, A. Roberts, W. Atkin, R. Banks-Smith, S. Hall

BEST

North Hobart : N. McCulloch, S. Darley, J. Cleaver, B. Tilbury, B. Walker, N. Lee

Glenorchy : R. Banks-Smith, R. Mott, H. Gunther, A. Grace, B. Kamaric, S. Hall