The Wrap – Round 7 – Tasmanian State League

By Joseph Vasquez

Round seven of the 2023 TSL season delivered more entertaining football across the state with fixtures between Launceston and Glenorchy, North Hobart and North Launceston, and Kingborough and Clarence.

First, it was Launceston hosting Glenorchy at Windsor Park. The Blues made a red-hot start at home, kicking 8.3 to Glenorchy’s 1.1. The Magpies were held scoreless in the second term as Launceston extended their lead to 72 points at the half. In the second half, the Blues continued to pile on goals and took their lead into three figures. In the end, it was an emphatic 19.16.130 to 3.5.23 victory for Launceston.

Jake Hinds was the star of the show for the Blues kicking nine goals, and Brodie Palfreyman (two goals, five marks, nine inside-50s, 11 clearances, 21 contested possessions, 35 disposals), Jamieson House (one goal, six tackles, seven inside-50s, 11 clearances, 19 contested possessions, 28 disposals) and Liam Jones (three goals, five marks, 10 contested possessions, 23 disposals) were excellent in navy blue.

For the defeated Glenorchy, Josh Arnold (seven rebound inside-50s, seven one-percenters, 13 contested possessions, 15 marks, 39 disposals), Braidy Simpson (five rebound inside-50s, 14 marks, 29 disposals) and Blake Waight (six contested possessions, 13 marks, 22 disposals) played with pride in the black and white.

Next, it was North Hobart and North Launceston doing battle at North Hobart Oval. North Launceston took a lead of 18 points at quarter-time after kicking 4.7 to the Demons’ 2.1. Though inaccurate, the Northern Bombers extended their lead to 31 at half-time. Following the main interval, North Launceston led by 50 points at the final change and after a high-scoring final term won by 43, a final scoreline of 16.17.113 to 10.10.70.

Brad Cox-Goodyer, Theo Ives, and Jack Aherne all kicked three goals, and Ben Simpson (six rebound inside-50s, eight tackles, 12 inside-50s, 12 clearances, 19 contested possessions, 36 disposals), Alex Lee (seven clearances, 12 contested possessions, 54 hit-outs, 16 disposals) and Blade Sulzberger (one goal, five tackles, 10 clearances, 11 contested possessions, 25 disposals) were brilliant for North Launceston.

For the Dees, Nick Jackson (one goal, five inside-50s, seven rebound inside-50s, nine clearances, 10 marks, 17 contested possessions, 27 disposals), Zach Barrow (two goals, five marks, seven contested possessions, 18 disposals), and Tyler McGinniss (one goal, 11 contested possessions, 20 disposals) were resolute for North Hobart.

Finally, it was Kingborough and Clarence in a skirmish at the Twin Ovals. The Roos pinched a one-point lead over Kingborough at quarter-time after kicking 2.1 to 2.0. However, the Tigers fought back in the second quarter and retook the lead, in front by 11 points at half-time. After the half, Kingborough kicked away in the third term to lead by 41 points at three-quarter-time. At the final siren, it was a 10.10.70 to 3.5.23 win for the undefeated Tigers.

Tyler Carter was good up forward with three majors, and Lachlan Clifford (one goal, eight marks, nine clearances, 10 contested possessions, 25 disposals), Edward Cole (five marks, seven clearances, 12 tackles, 17 contested possessions, 21 disposals), and Lochie Griggs (five contested possessions, five inside-50s, 10 marks, 23 disposals) were strong in yellow and black. Defenders Lachie Gadomski and Ben Donnelly were also crucial, while returning defender Blake McCulloch was strong in his comeback outing.

For the Roos, Sam Green (five inside-50s, six tackles, six clearances, seven marks, eight contested possessions, 28 disposals), Baxter Norton (five inside-50s, six rebound inside-50s, six tackles, seven contested possessions, nine marks, 29 disposals), and Liam Howard (five rebound inside-50s, five tackles, five clearances, seven marks, eight contested possessions, eight one-percenters, 15 disposals) held their ground against the Tigers.

This weekend, Lauderdale return from their week off to face Glenorchy at KGV, North Launceston host Kingborough at UTAS Stadium, and North Hobart take on Launceston at North Hobart Oval.