The Wrap – Round 17 – Tasmanian State League

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 17 of the 2022 TSL Season was another great weekend of footy around the state, with games played between Glenorchy and North Hobart, Lauderdale and Launceston, and North Launceston and Clarence.

First off, it was the inaugural TSL Pride Cup between Glenorchy and North Hobart at KGV. North Hobart took control early, kicking 5.2 to the Magpies’ 2.2 in the first term to lead by 18 points at quarter-time.

The Demons then extended their lead out to 38 points at the half and maintained that exact margin at the final interval after both teams kicked 2.3 in the third quarter. With the damage done, North Hobart kicked a further 3.2 to 1.5 in the last to win 13.11.89 to 5.12.42.

Forwards Nick Jackson (5.1, six marks,13 disposals) and Lachie Dale (four goals, 15 marks, 23 disposals) were superb up forward for the Dees, and the likes of George McLeod (six clearances, 10 marks, 28 disposals), Angus Norton (nine marks, 26 disposals), Callum Kilpatrick (five clearances, five marks, 25 disposals), and Matthew Campbell were brilliant in the red and blue.

For the Magpies, veteran Ben Kamaric lead the way up forward kicking 2.3, and stars like John Geard (0.1, 15 clearances, 32 disposals), Josh Arnold (one goal, eight clearances, 23 disposals), and Blake Waight (0.2, nine one-percenters, 11 marks, 22 disposals) were strong in defeat.

Next, it was Lauderdale hosting the reigning premiers Launceston at a miry SkyBus Oval. It was a low-scoring opening quarter, with the Blues kicking 1.3 to the Bombers’ 1.2. After a four-goal to two second quarter, Launceston held a 13-point lead at half-time.

Despite an inaccurate third quarter kicking 2.6, the premiers took their lead out to 22 points at three-quarter-time after keeping the home side to 1.3. The Bombers continued to fight hard, but the Blues were too good, kicking 5.3 to 2.2 in the fourth quarter to win 12.15.87 to 6.10.46.

Forward Jake Hinds continued his brilliant season in front of goal with 5.3 and 18 disposals against Lauderdale, and Launceston stars like Jay Blackberry (2.1, 13 disposals), Fletcher Seymour (one goal, 27 disposals), Brodie Palfreyman (one goals, 10 tackles, 21 disposals), and Alec Wright (0.2, eight one-percenters, 20 disposals) were greatly influential.

In the Lauderdale camp, Sam Siggins continued his own brilliant year with two of Lauderdale’s six goals, and Lennon Marlin (0.1, seven clearances, 25 disposals), Edward Stanley (seven marks, 23 disposals), and Josh McGuinness (six marks, 12 rebound inside-50s, 15 disposals) were defiant against the ladder leaders.

Finally, it was a blockbuster up north between North Launceston and Clarence at UTAS Stadium. The Roos started well against the Northern Bombers, kicking 5.3 to 3.0 in the first quarter to take an early lead of 15 points on the road.

Clarence was then able to extend their lead to five goals straight at the half after kicking four goals to North Launceston’s 1.3 in the second. Regardless of a strong effort from the Bombers in the third quarter kicking 4.1, the Roos matched it with 5.2 of their own. Both sides kicked three majors in the final quarter, and Clarence ran out 17.9.111 to 11.6.72 winners.

Clarece forward Oliver Preshaw was arguably best-on-ground for the game, kicking 6.1, taking 13 marks, and amassing 19 disposals in a dominant display against North Launceston. Additionally, Jacques Barwick (3.1, six marks, 15 disposals), James Holmes (two goals, seven clearances, 26 disposals), Jack Preshaw (0.1, six marks, 25 disposals), and Keegan Wylie (six marks, eight rebound inside-50s, 23 disposals) were amongst the Roos’ best for the match.

Despite a tough loss, North Launceston’s Ben Simpson (0.1, 11 clearances, 25 disposals), Jack Avent (one goal, eight tackles, nine clearances, 24 disposals), Blade Sulzberger (one goal, nine clearances, 20 disposals), and Alex Lee (one goal, seven clearances, 56 hit-outs, 18 disposals) stood their ground against Clarence, and key forward Tom Bennett led the scoring for the red and black with 2.2.

Next Saturday, the Tigers return from their bye to host North Launceston at the Twin Ovals, Clarence takes on North Hobart at Bellerive Oval, and Lauderdale host Glenorchy at SkyBus Oval.