The Wrap – Round 4

By Joseph Vasquez

Round four of the 2023 TSL season delivered more brilliant football around the state, with the round comprised of matches between North Launceston and Clarence, Glenorchy and North Hobart, and Lauderdale and Kingborough. 

First, it was North Launceston and Clarence facing off at UTAS Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Northern Bombers took control early with a six goal to 2.3 opening term to lead by 21 points at quarter-time. North Launceston furthered their lead in the second quarter, kicking 4.2 to five Clarence points to lead by 42 at the half. 

The Bombers remained on top in the second half, extending their half-time lead by seven points at the final break. After a very inaccurate final quarter from North Launceston, they ran out 14.15.99 to 4.13.37 winners over Clarence. 

Brandon Leary was prolific up forward for North Launceston with six goals, and Ben Simpson (five one-percenters, nine clearances, 12 contested possessions, 20 disposals), Nathan Pearce (six inside-50s, eight tackles, eight clearances, 11 contested possessions, 20 disposals), and Alex Lee (five clearances, six contested possessions, six one-percenters, 60 hit-outs, 13 disposals) were dominant for the Bombers. 

And in a tough loss on the road, Clarence’s Baxter Norton (nine clearances, 11 marks, 12 contested possessions, 12 tackles, 38 disposals) and Keegan Wylie (one goal, seven contested possessions, 15 rebound inside-50s, 33 disposals) were strong for the Roos. 

Next, it was Glenorchy and North Hobart locking horns at KGV Oval on Sunday afternoon. North Hobart made a solid start, kicking 4.6 to two Glenorchy majors in the first quarter to lead by 18 points at the first break. The Demons kept on in the second term, taking their lead to 45 at half-time. Following a low-scoring third quarter, the Demons’ lead had gone to 46 points. Despite a late fightback from the Pies, North Hobart were 11.11.77 to 8.7.55 winners over them. 

Jack McCulloch was the driving force up forward for the Demons with five goals, and Angus Norton (five clearances, eight marks, 11 contested possessions, 39 disposals), Dominic White (seven inside-50s, eight marks, 10 contested possessions, 34 disposals), and Nick Jackson (five marks, five inside-50s, 16 clearances, 23 contested possessions, 30 disposals) were all excellent in the red and blue. 

For the Magpies, Braidy Simpson (five inside-50s, six contested possessions, seven rebound inside-50s, eight marks, 30 disposals) and Blake Waight (five marks, seven contested possessions, seven rebound inside-50s, 21 disposals) were defiant in defeat. 

Finally, it was Lauderdale and the Kingborough Tigers doing battle at SkyBus Oval on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers, though inaccurate, took a lead of 17 points at quarter-time after kicking 3.7 to Lauderdale’s 1.2. Kingborough improved their accuracy in front of goal, kicking straighter in the second term and taking their lead to 25 points at half-time. 

The Tigers stayed in control following the main interval, their lead extending to 37 at the final break. In the end, it was a 15.15.105 to 8.5.53 victory for Kingborough, making them the only undefeated side in the TSL so far in 2023. 

Jack Tomkinson was superb in front of goals for the Tigers with four majors, and Nic Baker (one goal, nine marks, 12 contested possessions, 23 disposals), Lachlan Clifford (five inside-50s, 10 contested possessions, 21 disposals), and Kieran Lovell (two goals, five inside-50s, six contested possessions, 15 disposals) were key contributors in a big win for Kingborough.  

In the face of excellent opposition, Lauderdale’s Sam Siggins (five inside-50s, six marks, 18 clearances, 25 hit-outs, 27 contested possessions, 43 disposals) and Josh McGuinness (five tackles, nine contested possessions, 11 rebound inside-50s, 37 disposals) shined for the Southern Bombers.  

This weekend, North Launceston hosts Lauderdale at UTAS Stadium, Clarence courts Glenorchy at Blundstone Arena, and Launceston returns from the bye to face off against Kingborough at Windsor Park.