The Wrap – Round 13

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 14 of the 2022 TSL Season delivered arguably the most entertaining round of the season so far, including two thrillers in the north and south of the state and a textbook win by Lauderdale over Glenorchy.

First, it was one of the best games all year between North Launceston and the Tigers at UTAS Stadium. In a high-scoring first quarter, the Northern Bombers were strong early, kicking 6.1 to Kingborough’s 3.3 to lead by 16 points at quarter-time.

In the second term however, the Tigers closed the gap and edged ahead, kicking 5.3 to 2.0 to lead by five points at the half. The third term was another tight affair with both teams kicking two, but Kingborough maintained a slim three-point lead.

The fourth and last quarter was a grind, with neither side looking better than the other on the scoreboard or around the ground. However, a late goal to young North Launceston forward Will Manshanden put his side up by four points and looked to be a possible match-winner.

However, a quick kick out of a stoppage in the Tigers’ forward 50 and mark in the dying moments of the game meant that Kingborough forward Jordan Lane would line up to win the match after the siren for the Tigers.

Lane lined up from 10 metres out on a slight angle and narrowly steered it through, and after a brief confer between the umpires as to whether the kick nicked the post on the way through. the goal umpire’s decision stood, a goal and a two-point win for Kingborough.

Lane was the Tigers’ best in front of goal on the afternoon, taking nine marks, amassing 13 disposals and kicking 4.1 including the match-winner, and was well supported by fellow tall Tyler Carter (2.1, 11 disposals) and veteran Kieran Lovell (2.2, 11 clearances, 40 disposals).

Additionally, Kingborough stars Eddie Cole (1.2, 30 disposals), Jack Tomkinson (16 disposals, 35 hit-outs), and Lachlan Clifford (nine clearances, 24 disposals) were brilliant in a great win.

For the Bombers, Manshanden (3.1, 13 disposals) and Nathan Pearce (three goals, nine disposals) were their best up forward, and midfielders Fletcher Bennett (nine one-percenters, 28 disposals), Brad Cox-Goodyer (seven clearances, 25 disposals), and Jack Avent (one goal, six clearances, 22 disposals) were strong in a hard loss.

Down in the south, it was a clash at North Hobart Oval between North Hobart and Clarence. Despite only managing two wins in 2022 and facing tough opposition in Clarence, the Demons started well at home, kicking 2.2 to the Roos’ 1.1 in the opening term.

The Roos hit back in the next quarter, restricting North Hobart to just one goal and kicking 3.3 to lead by eight points at the long interval. Clarence then kicked another 3.3 in the third term to North Hobart’s 2.4 to take their lead out the 13 points with a quarter remaining.

Clarence kicked the first goal of the final quarter and it looked as if their class would prevail, but North Hobart dug deep, kicking three quick goals late in the piece to be within a kick of the lead. The Demons charged forward in the dying stages, but the backline of Clarence held strong, and the latter held their nerve to win 8.10.58 to 8.8.56.

Despite the scare, Clarence stars Baxter Norton (10 clearances, 26 disposals), Sam Green (18 disposals, 15 hit-outs), and Jack Preshaw (0.1, 22 disposals) were greatly influential for their side, and forwards Colin Garland (2.3, 12 disposals) and Keegan Ryan (two goals, seven marks, 14 disposals) were the Roos’ best up forward.

In North Hobart’s camp, forward Nick Jackson (three goals, seven marks, 15 disposals) and Lachie Dale (2.3, seven marks, 11 disposals) were potent around goal, and guns like Sam Caswell (0.1, 22 disposals) and Callum Kilpatrick (22 disposals) were firing.

Finally, it was a dominant performance from Lauderdale against Glenorchy at SkyBus Oval. The Bombers flew out of the blocks early, kicking 7.3 in the first quarter and another 5.5 in the second quarter, leading by 79 points at half-time as they held the Magpies to just one behind in the first half.

Lauderdale’s lead reached three figures in the third quarter after kicking another 6.3, and despite a brave fourth term from Glenorchy kicking 4.2 to Lauderdale’s 4.1, the Bombers still ran out 22.12.144 to 5.6.36 winners.

Unarguably the best players on the ground were Lauderdale key forwards Sam Siggins (eight goals, 19 disposals) and Michael Blackburn (6.3, 10 marks, 17 disposals), who led the way up forward for the Bombers along with Jayden Magro (3.3, 10 disposals) and Tyler Martin (two goals, 18 hit-outs, 11 disposals).

Outside the forward 50 for Lauderdale, the likes of Ed Stanley (0.1, nine marks, 32 disposals), Josh McGuinness (nine marks, 27 disposals), and Will Poland (10 marks, 18 disposals) were brilliant in red and black against the Pies.

In the face of a bad loss, Glenorchy’s Josh Arnold (34 disposals), Ben Kamaric (one goal, 27 disposals), and Blake Waight (one goal, seven marks, 22 disposals) played with pride.

The competition undergoes a state-wide bye this coming weekend before the season resumes on July 2 with matches between Glenorchy and Launceston at KGV Oval, North Launceston and Lauderdale at UTAS Stadium, and Clarence and the Tigers at Bellerive Oval.