The Wrap – Round 16 – Tasmanian State League

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 16 of the 2023 TSL season was an intriguing weekend of football across the state, with matches played between Glenorchy and the Kingborough Tigers, Clarence and North Launceston, and Lauderdale and North Hobart.

First, Glenorchy and the Tigers did battle at KGV Oval. The Magpies made a solid start on their home deck, kicking 3.2 to Kingborough’s 1.2 and taking a 12-point lead at the first change. In the second quarter, the Tigers kicked 3.6 to 2.1 and closed the gap to a point at half-time. Kingborough took the lead following the main break, leading by seven points going into the final term. Despite their inaccuracy, the Tigers held off the Magpies to win 9.20.74 to 7.5.47.

Jack Tomkinson was among Kingborough’s best on the afternoon, kicking three majors and amassing 22 disposals. Other noteworthy contributors in yellow and black included Kieran Lovell (seven clearances, nine inside-50s, 12 contested possessions, 31 disposals), Eddie Cole (two goals, five marks, six inside-50s, seven clearances, eight tackles, 10 contested possessions, 30 disposals), and James Webb (one goal, 13 contested possessions, 27 disposals).

For the Pies, Blake Waight (five rebound-50s, eight marks, 16 contested possessions, 34 disposals), Matthew Joseph (one goal, six contested possessions, six marks, 12 rebound-50s, 28 disposals), and Callum Thompson (nine clearances, 21 contested possessions, 27 disposals) fought hard against the Tigers.

Next, Clarence and North Launceston faced off at Bellerive Oval. The Roos started strongly against North Launceston, kicking 4.4 to 1.2 to lead by 20 points at quarter-time. However, the Northern Bombers return served in the second quarter, kicking 6.4 to 0.3 to lead by 17 points at half-time. Clarence were resurgent in the third quarter, kicking 4.2 to 1.3 to level the ledger at three-quarter-time. In the end, North Launceston were too good, running away with it in the fourth quarter to win 12.18.90 to 9.10.64.

North Launceston’s Theo Ives and Harvey Griffiths kicked three goals each, and Ben Simpson (six inside-50s, eight clearances, 10 contested possessions, 25 disposals), Heath Ollington (five inside-50s, nine clearances, 19 contested possessions, 25 disposals), and Alex Lee (five marks, seven inside-50s, 10 clearances, 16 contested possessions, 39 hit-outs, 21 disposals) were prolific in red and black.

For the Roos, Keegan Wylie (11 rebound-50s, 28 disposals) and Baxter Norton (six inside-50s, 10 contested possessions, 12 clearances, 24 disposals) stood tall in defeat.

Finally, Lauderdale and North Hobart skirmished at SkyBus Oval. The Demons, though inaccurate, took a lead of 16 points into quarter-time after kicking 3.7 to Lauderdale’s 1.3 in the opening term. North Hobart extended their lead to 21 at half-time, and to 32 points at three-quarter-time. Despite some missed opportunities and resistance from the Bombers, North Hobart were the victors, winning 11.14.80 to 7.8.50.

Angus Norton (five rebound-50s, eight tackles, eight clearances, 11 contested possessions, 33 disposals), Dominic White (one goal, five contested possessions, five rebound-50s, nine marks, 24 disposals), and Thomas Liefhebber (one goal, eight tackles, 11 contested possessions, 23 disposals) were some of the Demons’ strongest contributors in their victory over Lauderdale.

And for Lauderdale, Rhys Sutton (five clearances, seven marks, eight inside-50s, 11 contested possessions, 32 disposals), Sam Siggins (12 clearances, 21 contested possessions, 32 disposals), and Nat Franklin (15 contested possessions, 30 disposals) held their ground against the Dees.

This weekend, Glenorchy and North Hobart resume hostilities at KGV Oval, Kingborough hosts Lauderdale at the Twin Ovals, and Launceston courts Clarence at Windsor Park.