The Wrap – Round 2

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 2 of the 2023 TSL season provided an entertaining weekend of football around the state, with matches between Glenorchy and Lauderdale, Kingborough and North Launceston, and Launceston and North Hobart. 

First off, it was Glenorchy in their first match of the season hosting Lauderdale at KGV Oval. The opening quarter was a low-scoring start from both sides, with Lauderdale kicking 1.3 to the Magpies’ 1.2. Scoring flowed more freely in the second term, with the Bombers extending their lead to 11 points at the half after kicking 5.4 to four Glenorchy majors in the quarter. 

However, Lauderdale kicked away following the main break, kicking 7.3 to 2.3 in the third quarter to lead by 41 points at the final change. The Bombers continued to dominate to the end, running out 19.15.129 to 9.5.59 winners over the Pies in their first victory of 2023.  

Michael Blackburn (four goals, five contested possessions, nine marks, 15 disposals) and player-coach Allen Christensen (four goals, seven marks, eight contested possessions, 32 disposals) were prolific up forward for the Bombers, and stars like Bryce Walsh (two goals, five tackles, eight marks, nine inside-50s, 12 clearances, 16 contested possessions, 42 disposals) and Sam Siggins (one goal, 13 clearances, 24 contested possessions, 34 disposals) were also superb. 

For Glenorchy, Dan Muir was dangerous up forward with five of the Magpies’ nine goals, and the likes of Braidy Simpson (six one-percenters, six tackles, seven contested possessions, seven rebound inside-50s, 27 disposals) and Callum Thompson (eight clearances, 11 contested possessions, 21 disposals) played with pride in the loss.  

Next, it was the Tigers and North Launceston facing off at the Twin Ovals. The Tigers made a hot start, keeping the Northern Bombers scoreless in the opening term and kicking 3.4 to lead by 22 points at quarter-time. The Tigers remained in control and extended their lead to 28 at half-time. 

Following the half Kingborough continued to dominate, kicking six straight to 2.2 in the third term to lead by 50 points at three-quarter-time. At the final siren, it was a decisive 14.10.94 to 6.5.41 win for the Tigers. 

Max Collidge led the scoring for Kingborough with three majors, with Jack Tomkinson (two goals, eight marks, nine contested possessions, 25 hit-outs, 17 disposals), Lochie Griggs (two goals, five rebound inside-50s, eight contested possessions, 10 marks, 20 disposals), and Elijah Reardon (nine rebound inside-50s, 10 contested possessions, 19 disposals) also greatly influential for the victors. 

In the Northern Bombers’ camp, Ben Simpson (five rebound inside-50s, six inside-50s, seven marks, seven clearances, eight tackles, 11 contested possessions, 29 disposals), Bradley Cox-Goodyer (two goals, five marks, 19 disposals), and Jack Avent (14 contested possessions, 24 disposals) held their ground well. 

Finally, Launceston took on North Hobart at Windsor Park. Launceston kicked 3.2 to the Demons’ 2.1 in the opening quarter to lead by seven points at the first break. The Blues kicked away in the second quarter, kicking 4.2 to a solitary North Hobart major to lead by 27 points at the half. 

Despite being down at the main interval, the Demons kicked themselves back in to the contest, scoring 5.1 to 3.1 to trim the margin to 15 at three-quarter-time. However, Launceston were too good, kicking 5.4 to one goal in the last to win 15.9.99 to 9.2.56. 

Jake Hinds was terrific up forward for the Blues with six goals, and Jobi Harper (two goals, five marks, six inside-50s, six tackles, seven clearances, 11 contested possessions, 27 disposals), Liam Canny (one goal, five inside-50s, six marks, 16 contested possessions, 27 disposals), and Samuel Cowley (one goal, seven marks, nine inside-50s, 10 contested possessions, 25 disposals) were among Launceston’s best for the match. 

For the Demons, Nick Jackson (five rebound 50s, five tackles, six clearances, eight marks, 12 contested possessions, 22 disposals) and Angus Norton (five clearances, six marks, six one-percenters, nine contested possessions, 13 tackles, 21 disposals) stood tall in defeat. 

Next round, Clarence returns from the bye to host Launceston at Blundstone Arena on the 22nd of April, and then two Anzac Day clashes: the Tigers and Glenorchy at the Twin Ovals, and North Hobart and Lauderdale at North Hobart Oval.