The Wrap – Round 17 – Tasmanian State League

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 17 of the 2023 TSL season delivered on all fronts, with the round comprised of fixtures between Glenorchy and North Hobart, Kingborough and Lauderdale, and Launceston and Clarence.

Kicking off the round was Glenorchy and North Hobart locking horns at KGV Oval. The Demons took an early lead of 14 points at quarter-time after kicking 3.2 to a solitary Glenorchy goal in the opening quarter. North Hobart gradually extended their lead as the match progressed, in front by 19 points at the half and 22 at three-quarter-time. In the end, the Demons remained in control to win 11.9.75 to 7.6.48 over the Magpies.

North Hobart’s Thomas Liefhebber (five marks, five clearances, 10 tackles, 16 contested possessions, 37 disposals), Angus Norton (one goal, seven marks, eight clearances, nine tackles, 15 contested possessions, 34 disposals), Dominic White (one goal, five inside-50s, six marks, nine contested possessions, 34 disposals), and Jack Sandric (five tackles, six marks, seven clearances, 13 contested possessions, 29 disposals) were among the most influential in the Dees’ win over Glenorchy.

For the Magpies, Kobey Phillips (five marks, 14 contested possessions, 23 disposals), Connor Ling (two goals, six inside-50s, 10 contested possessions, 20 disposals), and Blake Waight (one goal, five marks, five rebound-50s, nine contested possessions, 18 disposals) were standouts in the losing Glenorchy outfit.

Next, the Kingborough Tigers and Lauderdale faced off at the Twin Ovals in the Indigenous Celebration Game. The Tigers made a blistering start, kicking 5.4 to 0.2 in the first quarter to lead by 32 points at the first break. In the second term, Kingborough extended their quarter-time lead to 34 points at the half. Neither side kicked a major in the third quarter, with the Tigers managing five minor scores and the Bombers one. The final quarter saw Lauderdale trim down Kingborough’s lead, but it was too little too late as the latter were victorious 9.17.71 to 6.10.46.

James Zeitzen was prolific up forward for the Tigers kicking four goals, and Kieran Lovell (one goal, five clearances, 10 contested possessions, 10 inside-50s, 28 disposals), Eddie Cole (five marks, five tackles, 10 clearances, 15 contested possessions, 26 disposals), and Lachlan Clifford (five inside-50s, five tackles, nine clearances, 14 contested possessions, 26 disposals) were excellent for Kingborough.

For the Bombers, Allen Christensen (five clearances, 10 contested possessions, 10 marks, 10 rebound-50s, 48 disposals), Sam Siggins (three goals, nine clearances, 20 contested possessions, 33 disposals), and Tyler Martin (10 marks, 10 rebound-50s, 16 contested possessions, 29 disposals) stood tall in defeat.

Finally, Launceston and Clarence battled at Windsor Park. The Blues put the foot down early, kicking 8.3 to Clarence’s 0.1 in the first term to lead by 50 points. From there, Launceston went into cruise control and continued to dominate the contest, leading by 51 points at half-time, 52 at the final change, and winning by 60, a final scoreline of 13.11.89 to 4.5.29.

Isaac Hyatt and Liam Jones kicked three goals each for Launceston, and Jake Hinds (five inside-50s, six tackles, eight marks, 11 contested possessions, 29 disposals), Bailey Gillow (five clearances, nine tackles, 11 contested possessions, 21 disposals), and Thomas Beaumont (one goal, five tackles, 14 contested possessions, 20 disposals) were superb in navy blue.

For Clarence, Jack Preshaw (five tackles, six inside-50s, 13 contested possessions, 27 disposals), Sam Green (12 contested possessions, 23 disposals), and Keegan Wylie (five contested possessions, five tackles, eight rebound-50s, 21 disposals) held their ground against the Blues.

This weekend, Clarence host Glenorchy at Blundstone Arena, Kingborough welcomes Launceston to the Twin Ovals, and Lauderdale and North Launceston face off at SkyBus Oval in the Battle of the Bombers.