The Wrap Up: Wrest Point TSLW Round 12

Olivia Clayton takes a look at all of the round 12 Wrest Point TSLW action, headlined by the Blues extending their unbeaten streak against the second-placed Magpies.

North Launceston 13.16 (94) def. Lauderdale 0.1 (1)

Goalkickers:

North Launceston – E. McKinnell 6, B. Farrell 3, M. Cuthbertson 3, J. Clifford

Best Players:

Lauderdale – C. Stewart, O. Hudson, C. Knowles, K. Teders, S. Williams, C. van Breda

North Launceston – S. Townsend, K. Hennessy, E. McKinnell, B. Farrell, H. Breward

North Launceston’s rucks and younger players a highlight

North Launceston secured their sixth win of the season after defeating Lauderdale by 93 points at Skybus Oval.

Emily McKinnell booted six to star for the Northern Bombers, while midfielder Sophie Townsend was also a standout performer.

Captain Jodie Clifford, says the side ‘started slowly’ but as the game developed, the team “began playing free flowing football during the second half.”

“During the first half, we controlled a good deal of the play, but struggled with accuracy around the ground. Lauderdale to their credit, played a hard contested footy and were really hungry around the stoppages,” she said.

“Our girls in the midfield, led by Sophie Townsend, controlled the clearances and serviced the girls in the forward line well. The girls adjusted to the conditions of the day well and it was pleasing to get the win whilst on the road.”

Clifford highlighted the efforts of the side’s rucks and younger players.

“Our two rucks did an amazing job through the middle and around the ground. Experienced campaigner Sophie Townsend mentored young ruck woman, Kara Hennessy, and both girls controlled the hit outs.

“Hayley Breward and Bonnie Farrell controlled the forward entries with clean delivery out of the middle, where Emily McKinnell made the most of her opportunities in front of goal.”

Lauderdale are ‘finding their grit and fight’

Lauderdale applied lots of pressure but were only able to score a behind. Their best on ground was defender Chloe Stewart.

Coach Robbie McManus says that the thing he took away most from the game was that the side are ‘finding their grit and fight’.

“The talent in the North Launceston team is of a high quality, so our plan was to put them under plenty of pressure to make them earn their goals.

“To our girls credit I couldn’t really have faulted their tackling and pressure around the footy for most of the game,” he said.

“Our last half of the second quarter was a lapse that leaked some goals and the fourth belonged to North Launceston… But all in all, I thought as far as listening to instructions and effort were concerned, [the team] took some great steps in the right direction.”

There were a few players that McManus thought did really well in particular.

“I’ve been really happy with the way Chloe Stewart has been going about her footy this year. She lines up on the best forwards week in week out, but her defensive efforts stand out and get her teammates up and about.

“Olivia Hudson impressed me with her ball use and the way she reads the play. Celeste Knowles has also been one of our surprise packages of the year coming in mid-season and really making an impact amongst the team.

“Along with Vice Captain, Katie Teders, leading from the front with her aggression towards the ball and tackle pressure, a first gamer in Emma Waller really impressed me with the way she picked up the game after having trained just once.”

Lauderdale sit sixth on the ladder whilst North Launceston remain in fourth place with four rounds to go.

Clarence 2.3 (15) def. Tigers 1.2 (8)

Goalkickers:

Clarence – G. Alomes, N. Pearce

Tigers – P. Odwogo

Best Players:

Clarence – G. Alomes, G. Mitchell, B. Scott, A. Prokopiec, L. Standen, E. Westland Tigers – M. Bones, H. Baldwin, R. Oliver, E. Brereton, O. McKee, C. Brooke

Tigers injury leads to game being called off

Clarence secured the win for round twelve against the Tigers after the match was called off early in the third quarter.

“Meg (Wilkinson) landed awkwardly, necessitating an ambulance to be called,” Tigers coach, Brad Willis said.

According to Willis, “the x-rays were clear, and she was discharged on Sunday evening. My latest information is that she was badly bruised and has suffered some muscle damage.”

The game was a close encounter prior to the injury, with Willis acknowledging that the game had momentum shifts.

“The game was very much in the balance given we had the advantage in the first and Clarence stole the initiative in the second,” he said.

“It was a strange way to lose a game.”

Priscilla Odwogo kicked the Tigers; only goal, while Maggie Bones was the hosts’ best performer after shutting down Clarence gun Jessie Williams.

Willis was impressed with Bones’ performance, as well as the continued improvement of Hailee Baldwin and debutant Bec Oliver.

“Maggie Bones had the job on Jessie Williams and kept her in check whilst winning her own ball,” Willis said.

“Devils U18 captain Hailee Baldwin continues to impress with her ball winning ability and clearance work.

“The other noteworthy performance was from 1st gamer Bec Oliver. Bec is an Australian Masters touch player and her pace and evasion is going to be a real asset for the remaining games.”

Clarence’s Georgia Alomes a standout for the side

Georgia Alomes was the ‘Roos best on ground, and along with Natalie Pearce, hit the scoreboard with a goal.

Alomes continued her strong form with another impressive display, while skipper Grace Mitchell also worked her way into the game after quarter time to provide some run through the midfield.

Coach Andy Smith acknowledged that the shortened match was a good battle.

“The first half was a good contest. We got our game up and rolling in the second quarter after a quieter start.

“An unfortunate injury to Tigers player Meg Wilkinson halted the game early in the 3rd quarter. Thankful she was cleared of anything serious.”

Clarence are sitting in third with six wins and the Tigers are in fifth place on the ladder with two wins.

Launceston 9.9 (63) def. Glenorchy 2.1 (13)

Goalkickers:

Launceston – B. Rattray 3, C. Haines 2, M. Sinclair 2, D. Taylor 2

Glenorchy – N. Lynch, S. Skinner

Best Players:

Launceston – C. Thuringer, D. Taylor, J. Guy, A. Carey, G. Hill, M. Radford

Glenorchy – H. Smith, M. Sutcliffe, E. Barwick, T. Corrie, B. Barwick, K. Stanford

Launceston continue their perfect streak despite a ‘slow start’

Launceston made it ten wins from as many games after defeating Glenorchy by 50 points in round 12.

Brie Rattray kicked three for the Blues and their best on ground was Chanette Thuringer.

The side “had a slow start to the game initially” according to coach Ange Dickson.

“It wasn’t really until the second quarter that we started playing our game style and we were able to take control of the game.,” Dickson said.

“Glenorchy are always tough opponents who bring a strong physical game. It’s a game style we enjoy playing against and it always brings the best out in us.”

Dickson says that the three players that she thought were standouts on the day were Chanette Thuringer, Jennifer Guy and Georgia Hill.

“Chanette Thuringer had her best game of the year. She was dominant down back and used her run magnificently off the half back line all game.

“Jen Guy once again showed what a talent she is and only in her first year of football. The physicality she brings in her game is what we have been missing in previous years and it’s great to have her with us this season.

“Georgia Hill also dominated down back and with the other back line group managed to keep Glenorchy to two goals all game which is a fantastic effort.”

Glenorchy’s backline hold’s up despite ‘immense pressure’

Nietta Lynch and Sarah Skinner were the Pies only goal scorers, kicking one goal apiece, while their best on ground was Hannah Smith.

Assistant coach, Sandy Eaton, says her side has nothing but respect for the ladder-leading Blues.

“We went into Sunday’s games with confidence but knew we had to play at our best to be competitive against Launceston. We have a huge amount of respect for them and the bar that they have set for the competition this year.

“We had moments in the first and fourth quarters where we showed the brand of footy we’d need to play to beat Launceston, but unfortunately couldn’t string that together for the whole four quarters,” Eaton said.

“This is something we have worked towards and intend to show during the 2019 finals campaign.”

Eaton says the Barwick sisters and the team’s backline were standouts on the day.

“Brieanna Barwick’s consistent efforts in the midfield are second to none. She is someone who we have come to really rely on and every week she leaves nothing on the track.

“Elise Barwick was fantastic in the 4th quarter and gave us the spark we needed to get multiple forward entries. Her goal now is to string that together for four quarters.

“The standout on the day though was our backline who held up under the immense pressure from Launceston.”

Eaton singled out the efforts of Mackie Sutcliffe, who was tasked with playing on one of the competition’s absolute stars, as well as the consistent Hannah Smith.

“Mackie Sutcliffe played a huge role on Daria Bannister and kept her goalless for the entire game.

“Hannah Smith showed her growing maturity and development as a very strong defender within our team.”

Launceston remain in top spot on the ladder with ten wins, while the Magpies remain in second spot with eight wins this season.