The Wrap – Round 18

Round 18 of the 2022 TSL Season was an eventful round across the south of Tasmania, with matches played between Kingborough and North Launceston at the Twin Ovals, Clarence and North Hobart at Blundstone Arena, and Lauderdale and Glenorchy at SkyBus Oval.

First, it was the Tigers hosting the Northern Bombers. Kingborough got off to a great start, kicking 5.2 in the first term and holding North Launceston to one point to lead by 31 points at quarter-time. However, the Bombers closed the gap to 16 points at half-time after kicking 3.2 in the second quarter and keeping the Tigers goalless.

The third term was a stalemate, with both sides kicking 3.4. Despite the Bombers’ best efforts, Kingborough kicked another 3.4 in the last to win 11.15.81 to 8.7.55 to further consolidate second spot on the ladder.

Tiger forwards Jordan Lane (3.2, eight marks, 11 disposals), Marcus Gardner (2.1, seven marks, 18 disposals, 26 hit-outs), and Riley Ashlin (2.1, seven marks, 24 disposals) dominated the scoring, and the likes of Eddie Cole (nine clearances, 10 one-percenters, 27 disposals), Elijah Reardon (0.2, seven rebound inside-50s, 23 disposals), and Kieran Lovell (one goal, 22 disposals) were brilliant against the Bombers.

In the face of defeat, North Launceston star midfielders Ben Simpson (nine marks, 14 clearances, 42 disposals), Brad Cox-Goodyer (0.1, 11 rebound inside-50s, 33 disposals, and Jack Avent (eight clearances, 31 disposals) were brave, and key forwards Thomas Bennett (10 disposals) and Harrison Hobbs (seven marks, 11 disposals) scored 2.1 each.

Next, it was Clarence facing off against North Hobart. Clarence made their intent known early, kicking 6.2 to the Demons’ 2.0 to lead by 26 points at quarter-time. Despite an inaccurate second quarter, the Roos took their lead to 65 points at half-time after kicking 5.10 to the Demons’ one behind.

The second half was all Clarence, kicking 7.2 in the third quarter and 5.2 in the fourth and only conceding two more North Hobart goals for the match. In the end, it was a massive 23.16.154 to 4.3.27 Clarence victory.

The star of the afternoon was unarguably Clarence key forward Colin Garland, who kicked a superb 10.1 along with collecting 11 marks and 16 disposals against the Demons and was well supported by fellow forwards Bryce Alomes (four goals, 13 disposals) and Jacques Barwick (3.3, seven marks, 13 disposals).

Additionally, the likes of Sam Green (1.1, 12 marks, 12 clearances, 29 hit-outs, 36 disposals), Jarrod Harper (0.4, nine marks, 30 disposals), and Jack Preshaw (two goals, seven marks, 25 disposals) were all excellent in red and white.

For the Demons, Angus Norton (24 disposals), George McLeod (seven rebound inside-50s, 22 disposals), and Tyler McGinniss (seven rebound inside-50s, 18 disposals) were defiant against Clarence, and forwards Nick Jackson (2.1, six disposals) and Zach Barrow (2.1, seven rebound inside-50s, seven disposals) combined for all four of North Hobart’s goals for the match.

Finally, it was Lauderdale courting Glenorchy, with both sides donning their heritage jumpers for the match. The Bombers in Cats colours got off to a good start against the green and gold Magpies, kicking 5.3 in the first term as opposed to Glenorchy’s 2.3.

After leading by 18 points at quarter-time, Lauderdale took their lead out to 38 at the half after kicking a further 4.4 in the second quarter. Glenorchy resisted as best they could, but the Bombers were too strong, kicking five goals each in both the third and fourth quarters and only allowing two more Glenorchy majors for the match.

In the end, it was a 19.14.128 to 6.7.43 Lauderdale win. Lauderdale’s Sam Siggins (9.4, 10 clearances, 13 marks, 32 disposals) and Allen Christensen (5.2, nine marks, 18 disposals) were ultra-impressive in front of goals, and stars like Lennon Marlin (nine clearances, 34 disposals), Nat Franklin (15 clearances, 31 disposals), and Ed Stanley (13 marks, 27 disposals at 100% efficiency) were influential for the Bombers.

Regardless of yet another loss in 2022 for the Magpies, Blake Waight continued his great year by kicking three of Glenorchy’s six goals, and the likes of Ben Kamaric (0.1, eight clearances, 30 disposals), John Geard (25 disposals), and Callum Thompson (one goal, eight one-percenters, 18 disposals) held firm against tough opposition.

This Saturday, North Hobart hosts Lauderdale at North Hobart Oval, Glenorchy returns to KGV to face off against Kingborough, and Launceston returns from the bye to head south and take on Clarence at Bellerive.