The Wrap – Round 12

By Joseph Vasquez

Contributed mostly by polar conditions in the south of Tasmania, Round 12 of the 2022 TSL Season delivered an interesting weekend of football.

First, it was a clash between Lauderdale and North Hobart at a miry SkyBus Oval. Thanks to a gale blowing towards their attacking end, the Demons shot out of the blocks early, kicking 3.8 to the Bombers’ one behind to lead by 25 points at quarter-time.

However, with the wind at their back. Lauderdale fought their way back into the game, kicking an inaccurate 2.10 but keeping North Hobart scoreless to close the margin to three points at the half.

All factors pointed to the Demons extending their lead in the third term, but the Bombers fought hard to subdue them to only 1.3 for the quarter and kicked 2.3 themselves in the breeze by three points at the final break.

Unfortunately for North Hobart, they were held scoreless again in the last quarter as the Bombers missed opportunities but kicked 4.8 to win 8.22.70 to 4.11.35. Key forward Michael Blackburn was Lauderdale’s best in front of goal (3.1, seven disposals), and other stars such as Sam Siggins (1.1, 12 clearances and 35 disposals), Sam Tilley (0.3, seven clearances, 19 disposals), Lennon Marlin (1.3, nine clearances, 23 disposals), and Nat Franklin (six clearances, 24 disposals) were dominant in the red and black.

For the Dees, their own Tyler McGinniss (0.1, 30 disposals), George McLeod (one goal, 22 disposals), Callen Daly (1.1, six clearances, 19 disposals), and Callum Kilpatrick (one goal, six clearances, 19 disposals) were brave in a tough loss.

Over at the Twin Ovals, it was a match-up between Kingborough and Glenorchy. The winless Magpies were up and about early against the Tigers, kicking 4.5 to 2.2 to lead by 15 points at quarter-time. However, those four first-quarter goals were the only ones Glenorchy would manage for the afternoon, only managing a single point for the remainder of the game.

The Tigers however lifted to the occasion, kicking 3.2 to lead by a goal at half-time. From then on, it was all Kingborough, who kicked a further 7.5 in the second half to win 12.10.82 over Glenorchy 4.6.30.

On a tough day for goalkicking, Tigers forward-ruck Tyler Carter dominated with five goals and 12 disposals, and other Tigers stars including Kieran Lovell (1.2, 13 clearances, 39 disposals), Zachary Adams (29 disposals, four clearances), Jack Tomkinson (one goal, 21 hit-outs, 21 disposals), and Lachlan Clifford (one goal, seven clearances, 26 disposals) delivered in a big win.

In the Glenorchy camp, veteran Ben Kamaric (nine clearances, 39 disposals), John Geard (0.1, 29 disposals), Josh Arnold (16 rebound inside-50s, 25 disposals), and Blake Waight (one goal, 21 disposals) were defiant in defeat.

Finally, it was a blockbuster fixture at Blundstone Arena between Clarence and Launceston. Despite the absence of star captain Jobi Harper, the premier Launceston started well against the Roos on the road, leading by eight points at quarter-time and four goals at the main break.

The third quarter was a shootout, with the Blues managing 4.2 and Clarence 3.3, meaning Launceston held a 29-point lead with a quarter to play. Clarence lifted late, keeping Launceston goalless in the final quarter but only managed to kick 2.1 as the Blues won 10.9.69 to 7.10.52.

Launceston forwards Samuel Foley (three goals, 12 disposals), Brendan Taylor (three goals, 11 disposals), and Zachary Morris (2,1, 17 disposals) carried the load of the Blues’ scoring for the match, and the likes of Fletcher Seymour (one goal, nine clearances, 30 disposals) and Jake Smith (0.3, eight clearances, 24 disposals) starred in the navy blue.

For Clarence, Keegan Ryan (25 disposals), Sam Green (25 hit-outs, 21 disposals) and Colin Garland (2.2, 12 disposals) played well against excellent opposition.

Next weekend, North Launceston returns from their bye to host the Tigers at UTAS Stadium, North Hobart clashes with Clarence at North Hobart Oval, and Lauderdale take on Glenorchy at SkyBus Oval.