New faces, big impact – the recruits starring for your side
By Simon Andrews
Each year TSL teams must bolster their side with fresh faces, regardless of their finishing position the previous season. It’s time to take a look at some of the standout recruits from each club after the first cycle of the season.
Kingborough
The Tigers have a plethora of fresh faces that are making a big impact on an already strong list. The return of former Hawthorn Hawk Kieran Lovell from the SANFL has bolstered their stacked midfield, while Jack Tomkinson has added both height and depth to both their forward and ruck line-ups.
Tomkinson has proved to be one of the best contested marks in the comp, averaging 2.4 a game and ranked 6th throughout the entire TSL. Another player making a big impact up forward has been Jordan Lane, averaging just over 2 goals a game.
Lauderdale
The Southern Bombers’ recruiting strategy has paid off big time in early 2022. The most notable inclusion has been Jayden Magro. Magro’s biggest impact this season was in Lauderdale’s upset win over the Blues in round six where he secured 22 disposals, 6 marks, 8 inside 50s and 4 goals. Fellow WAFL gun Lennon Marlin has also impressed in his early outings in red and black. Lauderdale’s recruiters will be over the moon with Marlins elite numbers, averaging 24.6 disposals (7.8 contested) and 5.2 marks from 5 games.
Launceston
With the Blues managing to re-sign their entire 2021 premiership side during the off-season there isn’t much in terms of new recruits to speak of.
The big marquee preseason signing was the return of Geelong and Sydney player Jackson Thurlow. Thurlow is putting up some solid numbers, averaging 18 disposals, 4 inside 50s and 1.8 goals.
North Hobart
North Hobart have several new names within its line-up in 2022 and most are having a big impact on field. The Demons biggest signing of 2022 was the acquisition of Callen Daly from Glenorchy. Although he’s not putting up the numbers of 2021, Daly is doing a serviceable job at North Hobart averaging 16.4 clearances, 4 clearances and 4.8 1% ers.
Devonport recruit Cohen Stephensen is a new strong marking presence for the Demons this year averaging 5.3 a game (almost 2 of which are intercepts). Also, despite only playing 3 games this year Myrtleford recruit Lachie Dale has put up some impressive numbers, averaging 24 disposals (7.7 contested), 4.3 inside 50s and 2.7 goals per game.
North Launceston
The Northern Bombers have a new-look side in season 2022, with plenty of young players jumping into senior TSL football, including 15 debutants. Most recently Seth Campbell impressed against Kingborough with 22 disposals (8 contested) 6 tackles and a goal. William Manshanden has impressed in round 6 and 7 averaging 13.5 disposals at 81% efficiency.
Clarence
Clarence managed to re-sign many of its senior players over the off-season, promoting many to leadership roles. The most notable new face for the Roos has to be Keegan Ryan. The North Hobart pickup – and son of coach Peter – has a positive influence on the Roos’ side. Racking up 18 disposals, 4.8 inside 50s and 6.0 tackles per game, having recently made the shift to spend more time in the midfield.
Glenorchy
Without a doubt the Magpies best signing of 2022 has been Blake Waight, crossing into the TSL from Old Scholars club University this year, Waight has played every game so far this season to be the Magpies’ leader for total marks, intercept marks and contested marks. Waight is also averaging 23.8 disposals and 4.6 1%ers a game to. Although Waight went down with an injury in round 7 Glenorchy appear to have snagged themselves a genuine gun.
