The Wrap – Round 10 – Tasmanian State League

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 10 of the 2023 TSL season was a brilliant weekend of footy around the state, with a Friday night skirmish between North Launceston and Launceston, a Saturday afternoon clash between Kingborough and North Hobart, and an AFL curtain-raiser on Sunday morning between Clarence and Lauderdale.

First, it was North Launceston and Launceston going at it under the Friday night lights at UTAS Stadium. Scoring was scarce early, with the Northern Bombers kicking just 1.2 in the opening term and Launceston managing just one point. However, North Launceston kicked away to a 40-point lead in the second quarter after kicking 5.3 and keeping the Blues scoreless. North Launceston extended their lead to 50 points at three-quarter-time, and in the end ran out 14.12.96 to 4.3.27 winners over Launceston.

Brad Cox-Goodyer led the scoring for North Launceston with five goals, and Ben Simpson (five marks, five inside-50s, five rebound-50s, eight clearances, nine contested possessions, 26 disposals) and Alex Lee (nine clearances, 12 contested possessions, 49 hit-outs, 19 disposals) were the standouts in an impressive victory for the Northern Bombers.

For the Blues, Arie Schoenmaker (five one-percenters, six marks, seven tackles, nine rebound-50s, 24 disposals), Jake Hinds (13 contested possessions, 21 disposals), and Samuel Foley (six one-percenters, seven tackles, 10 rebound-50s, 11 contested possessions, 20 disposals) were strong in navy blue on a tough night.

Next, it was the Kingborough Tigers and North Hobart doing battle on Saturday at the Twin Ovals. The Tigers made a great start at home, kicking five straight to the Demons’ 2.1 in the first term. North Hobart struck back in the second quarter, kicking 4.1 to one goal to take a two-point lead at half-time. Following the main break, Kingborough retook the lead, and after a dominant third term led by 22 points at three-quarter-time. Scoring dried up in the last, but the Tigers prevailed, winning 12.3.75 to 7.7.49.

William Campbell was important for Kingborough kicking three, and Kieran Lovell (one goal, five inside-50s, 10 clearances, 13 contested possessions, 23 disposals), Lachlan Clifford (five inside-50s, six tackles, 12 clearances, 14 contested possessions, 23 disposals), and Marcus Gardner (one goal, five one-percenters, five tackles, six clearances, nine contested possessions, 42 hit-outs, 10 disposals) were key contributors in yellow and black.

For North Hobart, Nick Jackson (one goal, five inside-50s, six one-percenters, six tackles, seven marks, 12 clearances, 14 contested possessions, 28 disposals), Tyler McGinniss (one goal, 12 clearances, 17 contested possessions, 27 disposals), and Jack Sandric (six marks, eight clearances, nine tackles, 17 contested possessions, 25 disposals) all delivered in the red the blue.

Finally, it was Clarence and Lauderdale facing off before the AFL action at Blundstone Arena on Sunday. The Roos made a fast start against Lauderdale, kicking 4.4 to one goal to lead by 22 points at quarter-time. Clarence furthered their quarter-time lead by a point at the half, but the Bombers trimmed their lead down to 13 points in the third term after kicking 4.1 to the Roos’ 2.3. Lauderdale surged late, but Clarence held on to win 11.13.79 to 11.6.72.

Devils star Jack Dolliver led the way up forward for Clarence with three majors, and Noah Holmes (five marks, seven inside-50s, 11 clearances, 14 contested possessions, 25 disposals) and Baxter Norton (one goal, five tackles, seven one-percenters, eight contested possessions, 23 disposals) were among Clarence’s best for the match.

For Lauderdale, youngster Kobe Bennett was notable with three goals in just his second game of TSL football, and Sam Siggins (two goals, eight inside-50s, 18 clearances, 25 contested possessions, 30 hit-outs, 29 disposals) and Bryce Walsh (one goal, five rebound-50s, five tackles, six marks, seven clearances, 19 contested possessions, 27 disposals) fought hard for the Bombers.

This weekend, Clarence hosts North Launceston at Blundstone Arena, Lauderdale courts Kingborough at SkyBus Oval, and Glenorchy return from the bye to take on North Hobart at North Hobart Oval.