The Wrap: Round 18

By Joseph Vasquez

Round 18 of the 2023 TSL season was a superb weekend of football around the state, with matches played between Clarence and Glenorchy, Kingborough and Launceston, and Lauderdale and North Launceston. 

To kick off proceedings on Saturday afternoon, Clarence and Glenorchy did battle at Bellerive Oval. Clarence made a solid start at home, kicking 3.3 to the Pies’ 2.1 in the first quarter. The Roos kicked away in the second term to a 62-point lead at half-time after kicking 9.6 to one goal for the quarter. Scoring slowed after half-time, with Clarence kicking 1.4 and Glenorchy kicking 2.1 in the third quarter. In the end, the Roos stormed home to a dominant 89-point victory, winning 19.14.128 to 6.3.39. 

Clarence’s Bryce Alomes had a day out kicking seven goals, and Keegan Ryan (one goal, six inside-50s, 11 clearances, 16 contested possessions, 29 disposals), Jack Preshaw (six inside-50s, six tackles, seven clearances, 15 contested possessions, 29 disposals), and Oscar Paprotny (one goal, six tackles, eight inside-50s, eight clearances, 12 contested possessions, 28 disposals) were among Clarence’s best for the match. 

For the Magpies, Matthew Dilger (three goals, eight tackles, 11 disposals), Braidy Simpson (eight rebound-50s, 24 disposals), and Blake Waight (five rebound-50s, six contested possessions, seven marks, eight one-percenters, 18 disposals) stood tall in the defeated Glenorchy outfit. 

Next, the Kingborough Tigers and Launceston clashed at the Twin Ovals. Both sides were wasteful early, with the Tigers kicking 2.7 and the Blues kicking 0.3 in the opening term. The following quarter was somewhat of a shootout between the two sides, with Kingborough registering 4.5 and Launceston registering 4.3. The Tigers maintained their grip on the lead after halt-time, leading by 29 points at the final change. Ultimately, Kingborough were too good, running out 10.15.75 to 6.12.48 winners. 

Max Collidge was the Tigers’ most potent up forward kicking three majors, and James Webb (six inside-50s, six clearances, seven tackles, 11 contested possessions, 25 disposals), Eddie Cole (one goal, six inside-50s, 12 tackles, 12 clearances, 15 contested possessions, 23 disposals), and Lochie Griggs (one goal, six rebound-50s, 13 marks, 22 disposals) were excellent for Kingborough.  

For the Blues, Dylan Riley accounted for three of Launceston’s six goals for the match, and Jake Hinds (seven marks, 12 contested possessions, 26 disposals), Arie Schoenmaker (one goal, 13 rebound-50s, 25 disposals), and Brodie Palfreyman (five tackles, six inside-50s, seven clearances, 11 contested possessions, 23 disposals) held their ground in the face of strong opposition. 

Finally, Lauderdale and North Launceston locked horns at SkyBus Oval. Lauderdale took a lead of seven points at the first break after kicking 3.4 to North Launceston’s 2.3. However, the Northern Bombers pinched a one-point lead at half-time after kicking another 2.3 to Lauderdale’s 1.1 in the second term. In the third, Lauderdale retook the lead after kicking 2.6 to 2.2 and were in front by three points with a quarter to play. Despite the efforts of Lauderdale, North Launceston stormed home in the final quarter, kicking 10.3 completely unopposed to win 16.11.107 to 6.11.47. 

North Launceston’s Connor Young delivered with three goals for the afternoon, and Max Roney (10 contested possessions, 32 disposals), Blade Sulzberger (one goal, six marks, six tackles, seven clearances, 19 contested possessions, 28 disposals), and Jack Avent (17 contested possessions, 24 disposals) were key in the Northern Bombers’ victory. 

For the Southern Bombers, Ed Stanley kicked three of Lauderdale’s six majors, and titanic performances from Sam Siggins (two goals, seven inside-50s, 25 clearances, 35 contested possessions, 43 disposals) and Allen Christensen (five marks, seven clearances, nine rebound-50s, 12 contested possessions, 43 disposals) were cornerstones in Lauderdale’s defiant effort. 

This weekend, Lauderdale hosts Glenorchy at SkyBus Oval, North Hobart courts Launceston at North Hobart Oval, and North Launceston and the Tigers face off in a top-of-the-table clash at UTAS Stadium.