BUPA TSL Weekly Wrap: Round 11
Kingborough closed in on fourth spot, North Launceston and Lauderdale had another fierce encounter and Launceston rebounded from last week’s disappointment.
Hamish Spence runs through each game and previews this week’s clashes.
Tigers scratch and claw to keep season alive against ‘Roos
The Tigers continued their run on the finals on Saturday, after a thrilling three-point win over Clarence at twin Ovals.
Kingborough secured the Gadomski-Riewoldt Trophy in the process on a significant day for the club, prevailing as 7.15 (57) to 7.12 (54) victors.
The ‘Roos lost no fans in defeat, but now have a precarious hold on fourth spot over the Tigers.
The Tigers were on top in the first quarter, they won the ball at the coalface and kicked three goals kicking with the wind.
The only downsides were their inaccurate five behinds and the two goals they let Clarence kick against the run of play.
The two teams exchanged roles in the second term, with the ‘Roos responding with the wind blowing at their end.
Like the Tigers, they kicked three goals for the quarter, but were also wasteful with six behinds.
Clarence took a slim four-point lead into the main break, as the two teams geared up for a massive second half.
After a tale of two quarters, the third term was fairly even with two goals apiece.
Elijah Reardon’s second, a classy finish on 50, saw the Tigers reclaim the lead half-way through the quarter.
But Clarence kicked two of the next through three goals, they were more dominant in the middle and did well to restrict Kingborough with the wind.
Despite kicking against the breeze, the Tigers put in a shutdown performance that mirrored their final quarter effort against Glenorchy last week.
While both sides only kicked one goal for the quarter, Kingborough’s eight scoring shots to three secured them the win.
The Tigers took the lead back early with an end to end goal, and even though Luke Swinton pegged them back with a roost from outside 50, Kingborough had kicked enough behinds to still be in front.
Reardon (22 disposals, seven insides 50s, six rebound 50s and two goals) was electric and created plenty of drive off half-back, winning the medal as Kingborough’s best.
Kieran Lovell (22 disposals, eight clearances and six inside 50s) continued his dominant season, while Lochie Griggs (20 disposals, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s) was great on the wing.
AFL hopeful Oliver Davis (27 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s) won the medal as Clarence’s best, Keegan Wylie (27 disposals, five marks and 16 rebounds 50) was the general down back and young Darcy Gardner (18 disposals, six clearances and one goal) provided plenty of effort in the middle.
Tigers: 3.5, 4.7, 6.8, 7.15 (57)
Clarence: 2.0, 5.6, 6.10, 7.12 (54)
TIGERS:
Goal Kickers: E. Reardon (2), K. Lovell, M. Collidge, S. Duigan, L. Graham, T. Carter
Best Players: E. Reardon, K. Lovell, L. Griggs, L. Gadomski, M. Davies, C. Sawdy
CLARENCE:
Goal Kickers: L. Swinton (2), N. Holmes, O. Paprotny, C. Nield, J. Green, D. Gardner
Best Players: O. Davis, D. Gardner, K. Howlett, L. Swinton, B. Smith
Northern Bombers burst past Lauderdale in the second half
North Launceston made it eight wins in a row in the Grand Final rematch on Saturday, after beating Lauderdale by 10 points at UTAS Stadium.
The Northern Bombers looked like they were in trouble at half-time, but rallied in the second half to leave as 10.17 (77) to 10.7 (67) winners.
The Southern Bombers were more than up to the fight, bringing the trademark heat and spirit that’s expected between these two fierce rivals.
After Harry Richmond got the opener for the visitors, North Launceston threatened to stretch away with three goals in a row.
But Lauderdale managed to peg them back with two of the last three goals for the quarter, the only downside was a late undisciplined free from Haydn Smith that gave the Northern Bombers the lead back.
The Southern Bombers got on top in the second quarter through their pressure in the midfield and their backline holding firm.
They booted four goals to one, getting some reward for effort late in the term with three goals kicked in time-on.
Tensions boiled over when Sam Tilley kicked his second after the siren, a brawl erupted as Lauderdale took a 10-point lead into the main break.
North Launceston set up a wall after half-time, the ball lived inside their forward half with the Southern Bombers unable to get through.
Adding to Lauderdale’s woes was North Launceston’s two goals being the direct result of two turnover kicks in their back half.
The Northern Bombers continued their dominance at the start of the final quarter with three quick goals.
Big man Bart McCulloch continued to impose himself with his second and by repeatedly competing in the pack.
But despite facing this near-insurmountable deficit, Lauderdale fought back.
They couldn’t win the ball in the centre of the ground, instead generating fast transitioning plays of the half-back that netted them two goals.
Sam Siggins then produced a miracle floating snap from the boundary to bring the margin under two goals, but there wasn’t enough time left for the Southern Bombers.
Alex Lee (17 disposals, 32 hit outs, five marks and four clearances) was dominant all over the ground, he got on top in the ruck and always filled a hole down the line.
Jay Foon (28 disposals, eight marks, six inside 50s and nine rebounds 50) cut off and controlled everything from half-back, while Josh Ponting (29 disposals, six clearances and nine inside 50s) had the ball on a string.
Josh McGuinness (23 disposals, four clearances and six rebound 50s) continued to thrive in the midfield, Siggins (17 disposals, four clearances and one goal) was dangerous as a midfielder and in the ruck, while Lauderdale’s leading goalkicker for the season, Luke Nelson, (19 disposals, seven clearances, eight inside 50s and one goal) was influential further up the ground.
North Launceston: 4.4, 5.7, 7.14, 10.17 (77)
Lauderdale: 3.4, 7.5, 7.6, 10.7 (67)
NORTH LAUNCESTON:
Goal Kickers: J. Laskey (3), B. McCulloch (2), S. Egger, Z. Burt, T. Whitford, D. Withers, B. Cox-Goodyer
Best Players: B. McCulloch, J. Foon, T. Donnelly, F. Bennett, B. Lowe, D. Withers
LAUDERDALE:
Goal Kickers: H. Richmond (3), S. Tilley (2), J. Dance, L. Nelson, S. Siggins, T. Havea, A. Hevey
Best Players: B. Walsh, J. McGuinness, O. Shaw, N. Raglione, L. Nelson, S. Siggins
Seasoned Blues a class above young ‘Dees
Launceston recovered from last week’s thrashing on Saturday, by defeating North Hobart by 40 points at Windsor Park.
The Blues had some added motivation in former skipper Jay Blackberry’s 200th game (only the second TSL player to do it), celebrating with a 10.12 (72) and 4.8 (32) victory.
The Demons had their chances, but the difference in skill and experience became evident as the game wore on.
The first quarter was a fairly even contest with just one goal scored by either side.
The early highlight came from Jye Menzie’s point of the year, the speedster took three bounces running from the wing but couldn’t finish.
Launceston created some breathing room late in the second quarter by kicking the only two goals for the term, after the game had been a tight and congested struggle up to that point.
The crowd came alive when the milestone man Blackberry converted a set-shot on 50, as the Blues took a 14-point lead into the main break.
A skilful snap from Thomas Reeves to start the second half looked like it would continue the tight nature of the match.
But from there Launceston blew the game apart with a run of seven unanswered goals, Dylan Riley was the main destroyer with four.
Launceston got on top through the middle, while North Hobart lacked any connection coming out of the backline and going up forward.
The ‘Dees managed to kick the last two goals of the game, but it only made the deficit look slightly better.
Jake Hinds (21 disposals, five clearances, six inside 50s and goal) was the most dangerous midfielder on the ground, Blackberry (18 disposals, four clearances and two goals) celebrated his 200th in style and Riley (10 disposals, seven marks and two goals) already has one hand on the Hudson Medal.
Bailey Walker (25 disposals and rebound 50s) was the leading disposal getter on the ground and Hugh N J Williams (18 disposals, five marks and two clearances) led from the front.
Launceston: 1.4, 3.7, 7.9, 10.12 (72)
North Hobart: 1.3, 1.5, 2.6, 4.8 (32)
LAUNCESTON:
Goal Kickers: D. Riley (5), J. Blackberry (2), M. Thorp, T. Jones, J. Hinds
Best Players: J. Boyd, D. Riley, J. House, J. Blackberry, J. Hinds, M. Hodge
NORTH HOBART:
Goal Kickers: J. Dobosz, T. Reeves, C. Kilpatrick, T. Millhouse
Best Players: C. Kilpatrick, B. Norton, H. Williams, T. Reeves, S. Willis, H. Ireland
Up Next: Round 12
Glenorchy vs Lauderdale, 7:15pm Wednesday 23/09/2020, KGV
An intriguing match to kick off Round 13, after their last encounter was a thriller decided by just 12 points.
If Glenorchy want to keep their slim finals chances alive, they need to go two for two in a condensed block of games this round.
Lauderdale needs to keep winning to maintain their one-game buffer over Clarence and Kingborough, but face a tough four-day turnaround after Saturday’s fierce encounter.
Tigers vs North Launceston, 1:30pm Saturday 26/09/2020, Twin Ovals
A match with massive finals ramifications as the logjam continues to tighten for fourth spot.
Kingborough have been the story of the competition over the last few rounds, a win against the reigning premiers would only continue this great ride.
North Launceston look untouchable on top of the ladder, winning would just further their momentum heading into October.
Clarence vs Launceston, 1:30pm Saturday 26/09/2020, Richmond Oval
There will be plenty to play for on Saturday, as these two sides meet for the first time since they participated in one of the most bizarre games in TSL history.
Clarence needs to win to keep their hold on fourth spot, they’ll go in with plenty of confidence after upsetting the Blues last time.
Launceston are out for revenge, after the ‘Roos ended their undefeated streak earlier in the year.
North Hobart vs Glenorchy, 2:00pm Sunday 27/09/2020, North Hobart Oval
A Sunday afternoon clash closes out Round 12, with the bottom two teams looking to move up the ladder.
Glenorchy need to back-up from Wednesday and do everything they can to keep their season alive.
The ‘Dees pride is on the line, if results go their way they could snap their seven-game losing streak and be off the bottom of the ladder by the end of the round.
