The Wrap – Round 8

By Joseph Vasquez 

A trio of shellackings made up the eighth round of the 2022 TSL season, with the Northern Bombers crushing Glenorchy at UTAS Stadium, the premiers dominating against the struggling North Hobart at home, and Kingborough cruising past Lauderdale at the Twin Ovals.

To begin, it was an earlier clash at UTAS Stadium between North Launceston and Glenorchy. The hosts came out hard and fast and continued to play as such until the final siren, kicking ten goals in the first half and ten in the second half.

The hapless Magpies managed only 2.2 for the afternoon as North Launceston delivered a textbook performance on their home deck, winning 20.21.141 to 2.2.14. Star Bombers Brad Cox-Goodyer (4.2, 36 disposals), Thomas Bennett (4.1, 11 disposals), and Nathan Pearce (3.2, 17 disposals) were potent up forward, and the likes of Jack Avent (one goal, 41 disposals), Alex Lee (0.2, 12 disposals, and 44 hit-outs), Fletcher Bennett (23 disposals), and milestone man Corey Nankervis (1.3, 22 disposals) were brilliant across the ground for North Launceston. Despite a bad loss, Glenorchy’s Ben Kamaric (one goal, 32 disposals) and Josh Arnold (17 disposals) played bravely.

Later in the afternoon across town, it was another one-sided performance by a northern powerhouse as Launceston vastly outclassed North Hobart. The Blues kicked a mammoth 10.1 in the first term and went only forward from there, kicked a further 16 majors for the game.

Given the tough conditions in Launceston and facing off against an excellent opposition, the Dees managed only 4.5 for the game as the premiers ran out 26.13.169 to 4.5.29 winners. The best on ground for the match was unarguably Launceston forward Ryan Tyrrell, who kicked 10.2, amassed 20 disposals, and was the spearhead of the Blues’ attack along with Michael Musicka (four goals, 17 disposals) and Brendan Taylor (4.1, 16 disposals).

Others like Brodie Palfreyman (two goals, 32 disposals), Jobi Harper (0.2, 23 disposals), and Dylan Riley (two goals, 17 disposals) were brilliant in the navy blue. For North Hobart strong performances came from George Mcleod (27 disposals), Tyler McGinniss (25 disposals), and Lachie Dale (two goals, 18 disposals).

Finally, it was a strong performance from the Tigers of Kingborough against Lauderdale. The Tigers kept the Bombers scoreless in the opening term and kept a strong hold on the lead and game from then on. The Bombers fought hard late, but Kingborough extended their lead out to 63 points in the end, winning 21.12.138 to 10.15.75.

Jordan Lane (4.1, 11 disposals), Tyler Carter (4.1, 12 disposals), and Kieran Lovell (3.1, 27 disposals) were the Tigers’ best in front of goal, and stars such as Elijah Reardon (28 disposals), Edward Cole (two goals, 25 disposals), Lachlan Clifford (1.1, 24 disposals), and Luke Graham (1.1, 21 disposals) were in fine touch in the yellow and black across the afternoon. For the defeated Lauderdale, Josh McGuinness (1.2, 33 disposals), Lennon Marlin (1.1, 31 disposals), and Bryce Walsh (two goals, 27 disposals) performed well in the face of defeat.

Next weekend, Glenorchy are set to host Launceston at KGV Oval, while across Hobart the Tigers and Clarence will resume their rivalry at the Twin Ovals as the latter returns from their bye this weekend. And on Sunday the 22nd, it will be the Battle of the Bombers at UTAS Stadium in a curtain-raiser for the Hawthorn-Brisbane clash in Round 9 of the 2022 AFL season.