The Wrap – Round 8

By Joseph Vasquez

Round eight of the 2023 TSL season was a fantastic weekend of football around Tasmania with matches played between Glenorchy and Lauderdale, North Launceston and Kingborough, and North Hobart and Launceston. 

First, it was Glenorchy hosting Lauderdale at KGV Oval. Lauderdale made a fast start, kicking 5.2 to the Magpies’ 0.2 in the opening quarter to lead by 30 points at quarter-time. Despite their inaccuracy in the second and third quarters, the Bombers maintained a sizeable lead over Glenorchy. In the end, it was a 10.18.78 to 3.7.25 victory for Lauderdale, their second win of the 2023 season. 

Sam Siggins and Allen Christensen were lively up forward for the Bombers kicking three goals each, and Bryce Walsh (one goal, five marks, five rebound-50s, five tackles, six inside-50s, 11 clearances, 21 contested possessions, 44 disposals), Rhys Sutton (one goal, five marks, five inside-50s, 11 contested possessions, 31 disposals), and Tyler Martin (seven rebound-50s, 10 contested possessions, 10 marks, 22 disposals were prolific for Lauderdale. 

For the Pies, Luke Nicholson (five inside-50s, six clearances, 11 marks, 12 contested possessions, 31 disposals), Blake Waight (seven contested possessions, seven marks, eight rebound-50, 30 disposals) and Josh Arnold (five marks, six inside-50s, eight clearances, 14 contested possessions, 28 disposals) held their ground against Lauderdale. 

Next, it was a blockbuster match-up at UTAS Stadium between North Launceston and Kingborough. North Launceston took a lead of three points at the first break after kicking 2.1 to the Tigers’ 1.4. The Northern Bombers extended their lead in the second term, leading by 14 points at half-time.  

The third quarter was a shootout, with North Launceston kicking 5.1 and Kingborough 5.4, but the former still held an 11-point lead going into the last. It was a thrilling final quarter, but North Launceston came out on top, winning 12.4.76 to 10.12.72. 

Brad Cox-Goodyer led the way up forward for the Northern Bombers kicking a bag of five, and Nathan Pearce (three goals, five clearances, six marks, nine tackles, 10 one-percenters, 11 contested possessions, 20 disposals), Mitch Nicholas (two goals, six clearances, eight contested possessions, 10 tackles, 22 disposals), and Connor Leeflang (five one-percenters, five tackles, eight marks, 16 disposals) were excellent for North Launceston against the Tigers.

Despite a narrow defeat, Kingborough’s Jack Tomkinson (three goals, six clearances, seven inside-50s, eight marks, 11 contested possessions, 25 hit-outs, 15 disposals), Tyler Carter (three goals, 11 contested possessions, 16 disposals), and Eddie Cole (five clearances, six one-percenters, 16 contested possessions, 23 disposals) were strong in the yellow and black. 

Finally, it was North Hobart taking on Launceston at North Hobart Oval. Launceston led by four points at quarter-time after kicking 2.7 to the Demons’ 2.3. The Blues maintained their slim lead at the half, but North Hobart overtook them to lead by 11 points at three-quarter-time. It came down to the wire in the final quarter, but North Hobart pinched a one-point win over the premiers, winning 11.13.79 to 11.12.78.  

Jack McCulloch continued his prolific 2023 season with three goals for North Hobart, and Nick Jackson (two goals, five marks, five clearances, six inside-50s, 13 contested possessions, 24 hit-outs,  17 disposals), Spencer White (five inside-50s, five one-percenters, seven contested possessions, 25 hit-outs, 17 disposals), and Josch Bingham (two goals, six inside-50s, 12 contested possessions, 18 disposals) were influential in the red and blue in one of the club’s finest victories in recent years.

For the Blues, Isaac Hyatt kicked three majors, and Jobi Harper (five one-percenters, five tackles, five clearances, six inside-50s, seven marks, 10 rebound-50s, 13 contested possessions, 34 disposals), Brodie Palfreyman (one goal, nine contested possessions, nine tackles, 20 disposals), and Bailey Gillow (one goal, seven inside-50s, nine tackles, nine clearances, 16 contested possessions, 19 disposals) were resolute for Launceston. 

This weekend, Clarence return from the bye to face Launceston at Windsor Park, the Tigers host Glenorchy at the Twin Ovals, and Lauderdale faces North Hobart at SkyBus Oval.