The Wrap – Round 13 – Tasmanian State League

By Joseph Vasquez

TSL action returned this past weekend with matches across the state played between North Launceston and Glenorchy, North Hobart and Clarence, and Launceston and Lauderdale.

To kick off the action on Saturday, North Launceston hosted Glenorchy at UTAS Stadium. The home side made a fantastic start, kicking 6.4 to 0.2 in the opening quarter to lead by 38 points at quarter-time. In the second term, the floodgates opened with North Launceston kicking 5.5 and the Magpies kicking 4.2. After half-time, scoring was scarcer with just three majors kicked between the two sides in the third quarter. In the end and despite some inaccuracy, the Northern Bombers cruised to a 18.21.129 to 6.6.42 win over Glenorchy.

Brad Cox-Goodyer was superb up forward for North Launceston kicking six goals, and Jack Avent (one goal, six tackles, 13 clearances, 14 inside-50s, 24 contested possessions, 33 disposals), Nathan Pearce (seven contested possessions, eight marks, eight inside-50s, 10 clearances, 25 disposals), and Alex Lee (12 clearances, 17 contested possessions, 60 hit-outs, 23 disposals) were brilliant for North Launceston.

For the Magpies, Braidy Simpson (five marks, 15 rebound-50s, 38 disposals), Blake Waight (seven one-percenters, eight rebound-50s, 11 contested possessions, 14 marks, 25 disposals), and Callum Thompson (five clearances, six marks, 10 tackles, 17 contested possessions, 23 disposals) held their ground against the Northern Bombers.

Next, North Hobart and Clarence faced off at North Hobart Oval. North Hobart kicked 2.2 to the Roos’ 1.3 in the first quarter, leading by five points at the first change. Clarence struck back in the following quarter, kicking 7.1 to 4.1 to lead by 13 points at half-time. In the second half and as conditions at North Hobart Oval worsened, Clarence gradually extended their lead to 37 at three-quarter-time. Both sides registered 1.3 in the final quarter, with the Roos winning 13.9.87 to the Demons’ 7.8.50.

Noah Holmes led the way in front of goal for Clarence kicking four, and Oscar Paprotny (six marks, seven rebound-50s, 12 contested possessions, 30 disposals), Baxter Norton (two goals, seven inside-50s, nine clearances, 11 tackles, 12 contested possessions, 29 disposals), and Keren Howlett (one goal, five tackles, five clearances, 11 contested possessions, 25 disposals) were dominant in the red and white.

For the Demons, Angus Norton (five tackles, six clearances, 10 rebound-50s, 11 contested possessions, 43 disposals), Dominic White (one goal, seven contested possessions, 27 disposals), and Nick Jackson (three goals, five rebound-50s, seven inside-50s, 10 clearances, 17 contested possessions, 26 disposals) were resolute against the Roos.

Finally, Launceston and Lauderdale did battle at Windsor Park. Lauderdale made a solid start on the road, taking an eight-point lead at quarter-time after kicking 2.2 to a solitary Blues major. However, the former was kept scoreless in the second quarter as Launceston took a 14-point lead of their own at the half. The Bombers fought back in the third term, trimming the Blues’ lead by three points at the final interval. Ultimately, Launceston came out on top, winning 7.12.54 to 5.3.33.

Thomas Beaumont, Liam Jones, and Isaac Hyatt kicked two goals apiece for the Blues, and Jamieson House (five tackles, eight inside-50s, 11 clearances, 21 contested possessions, 37 disposals), Brodie Palfreyman (five marks, five inside-50s, seven tackles, 10 clearances, 16 contested possessions, 33 disposals), and Liam Canny (five tackles, five clearances, 14 contested possessions, 25 disposals) were prolific for Launceston.

For Lauderdale, Ed Stanley kicked four of the Bombers’ five goals for the match, and Sam Siggins (one goal, seven tackles, 16 clearances, 21 contested possessions, 29 disposals) and Bryce Walsh (six inside-50s, six clearances, 15 contested possessions, 25 disposals) were brave in defeat.

This weekend, Glenorchy and Clarence clash under lights at KGV Oval on Friday night, Kingborough return from the bye to host Launceston at the Twin Ovals on Saturday afternoon, and Lauderdale court North Launceston at SkyBus Oval also on Saturday afternoon.