The Wrap – Round 14 – Tasmanian State League

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 14 of the 2023 TSL season was a superb weekend of football around Tasmania, with matches between Glenorchy and Clarence, Kingborough and Launceston, and Lauderdale and North Launceston.

Kicking off the round’s action was Glenorchy and Clarence locking horns on Friday night at KGV Oval. Scoring was scarce in the opening term, with the Roos taking a six-point lead at quarter-time after kicking 1.2 to Glenorchy’s 0.2. Clarence put their foot on the gas in the second quarter, kicking away to a 42-point half-time lead after kicking 8.2 to 2.2. However, the Magpies closed the gap after the main interval, holding Clarence goalless in the third term and trimming the margin to 27 points at the final change. In the final quarter, Clarence survived an early scare before kicking 9.3 to secure an unassailable lead, and ultimately were victorious 18.9.117 to 8.11.59.

Bryce Alomes led the way up forward for Clarence kicking four majors, and Oliver Preshaw (three goals, five inside-50s, 12 marks, 22 disposals), Sam Green (three goals, five one-percenters, seven marks, nine contested possessions, 21 disposals), and Baxter Norton (two goals, six marks, seven contested possessions, seven clearances, 10 inside-50s, 27 disposals) were greatly influential for the Roos.

For the Pies, Blake Waight (five one-percenters, seven marks, 10 contested possessions, 25 disposals), Callum Thompson (five marks, five clearances, 15 contested possessions, 18 disposals), and Nathan Blowfield (three goals, 14 contested possessions, 15 disposals) held their own against Clarence.

On Saturday afternoon, the Kingborough Tigers hosted Launceston at the Twin Ovals. Scores were level at quarter-time after both teams registered 3.2 in the opening term. In the following quarter, the Blues took a six-point lead at the half after kicking 2.2 to the Tigers’ 1.2. After half-time, Launceston kicked away, keeping Kingborough goalless and extending their lead to 18 points at three-quarter-time. In an enthralling final term, the Tigers closed the gap and after Max Collidge converted from a free kick in the dying minutes, they hit the front. It went down to the wire, but Kingborough held on to win 9.10.64 to 9.6.60.

Collidge led the scoring for Kingborough, kicking three, and Kieran Lovell (two goals, five marks, seven clearances, 14 contested possessions, 29 disposals), Lachie Clifford (10 clearances, 18 contested possessions, 28 disposals), and Eddie Cole (five marks, five one-percenters, seven clearances, eight inside-50s, eight tackles, 14 contested possessions, 25 disposals) were brilliant in yellow and black.

For Launceston, Jamieson House (two goals, six rebound-50s, seven inside-50s, 12 clearances, 14 contested possessions, 35 disposals), Brodie Palfreyman (two goals, five inside-50s, six tackles, nine clearances, 12 contested possessions, 30 disposals), and Samuel Foley (six one-percenters, seven marks, nine rebound-50s, nine tackles, 10 contested possessions, 27 disposals) were excellent in navy blue despite the narrow loss.

Finally, it was the Battle of the Bombers at SkyBus Oval. Both sides drew level at the first change, with both Lauderdale and North Launceston kicking 2.1 in the opening quarter. The Northern Bombers secured a nine-point lead at half-time after kicking 4.4 to Lauderdale’s 3.1 in the second term. North Launceston remained in control after half-time, extending their lead to 14 at the final change. Lauderdale charged late, but they were left to rue some missed opportunities late as the Northern Bombers held their nerve to win 11.8.74 to 8.10.58.

For the Northern Bombers, Ben Simpson (five inside-50s, 13 tackles, 13 clearances, 16 contested possessions, 33 disposals), Mitch Nicholas (five contested possessions, seven marks, 24 disposals), and Blade Sulzberger (six clearances, 11 contested possessions, 20 disposals) were key contributors in their side’s 10th victory in a row.

For the Southern Bombers, Sam Siggins (three goals, five marks, eight clearances, 17 contested possessions, 24 disposals) and Phillip Bellchambers (one goal, five insid-50s, 10 contested possessions, 19 disposals) fought hard against their Bomber rivals.

This weekend, Clarence and Lauderdale do battle at Bellerive Oval, Launceston and North Launceston clash at Windsor Park, and North Hobart host the Tigers at North Hobart Oval.