THIS week in Tasmanian football has seen the Tassie Mariners claim another victory, while Round 4 of the Tasmanian State League (TSL) season kicked off last weekend before an ANZAC Day clash started Round 5 early on Wednesday.

Mariners record a second-straight victory

The Tassie Mariners have two wins from as many games after producing a gallant 15-point victory over the Northern Territory on Sunday. After an impressive victory over the Gold Coast Academy on the road in Round 1, the Mariners traveled to Dandenong with a number of draft hopefuls impressing throughout the game. The Mariners took a 16-point lead into quarter time before stretching their lead to 21 points at the main break. It was all the NT in the third though as they kicked three goals to the Mariners’ one, but the Tasmanian side held firm in the last thanks in-part to the state’s biggest draft hopeful in Tarryn Thomas, who finished the game with three majors and was among the best players.

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TSL Round 4 and 5 Wrap/Preview

Round 4 of the BUPA Tasmanian State League (TSL) saw host to two Friday night games with each producing very different results.

Glenorchy 17. 20 (122) defeated North Hobart 5.5 (35)

The undefeated Glenorchy extended their winning streak last Friday night after easily accounting for the TSL’s youngest side in North Hobart at KGV.

After a tight first quarter, the Magpies made relatively easy work of the Demons throughout the rest of the night, with the number of players able to hit the scoreboard surely to please Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy. Superstar forward and arguably the competition’s best player, Jaye Bowden, finished the game with three goals while Daniel Coppleman (three), Mitch Rainbird (two), Callen Daly (two) and former Hawk Zac Webster (two) bagged multiples along with six other Pies recording single majors. For the Demons, the game was marred by a nasty injury to Captain Hugh Williams who ended the night in hospital requiring stitches after colliding with a concrete gutter behind the goalposts. Williams was released the next day but will not feature in Round 5.

Lauderdale 16.14 (110) def. Tigers 13.5 (83)

Last year’s grand finalists in Lauderdale recorded their first victory of the season in Friday night’s other contest after a hard-fought victory over the Tigers.

The contest at Kingston’s Twin Ovals was arguably the game of the season to this point with both teams providing plenty of highlights for fans in attendance. With just a two-point lead at quarter time, the Tigers controlled the contest throughout the second quarter and took a 20-point lead into the main break but lost defensive playmaker and assistant coach Marcus Davies to a knee injury and he did not return after the half. This allowed the Bombers to take control of the contest with lively forward Tim Mosquito finishing with four majors while big man Haydn Smith was dominant across the night in the ruck. For the Tigers, young-gun Lachy Clifford was prolific all night while new recruit Ryan Matthews was his major ball-winning self.

North Launceston 11.21 (87) def. Clarence 11.9 (75)

North Launceston responded strongly from their shock loss to Glenorchy in Round 3 with a hard-fought victory over Clarence at Blundstone Arena last Saturday.

With the host of late-outs from last week’s game returning, the Bombers were made to work for their victory over the much-improved Roos. Bombers star Brad Cox-Goodyer finished the game with three majors and while Clarence coach Jeremy Webberely was pleased with the effort and intent of his side, he said they were disappointed not to walk away with the result.

Round 5 ANZAC Day Clash:

Tigers 8.6 (54) def. by Glenorchy 11.8 (74)

Round 5 kicked off early this week with the Tigers playing host to ladder leaders Glenorchy at the Twin Ovals in the ANZAC Day clash this past Wednesday. With both teams coming off a five-day break, the contest was always going to be a tough one for both sides but it was the more mature bodies of the Magpies that were able to hold strong a record a 20-point victory. Fifteen year-old forward Jye Bearman was lively up-forward booting three goals, while Josh Grant nailed two after being rested from Friday night’s game.

Coach Paul Kennedy was relatively happy with how his side played but did make mention in his post-match press conference that he was not particularly pleased with how the Pies played in the second-quarter. Pies midfielder Ben Kamaric was prolific all day and was awarded for his efforts, winning the ANZAC medal. Lachy Clifford backed up his best-on-ground performance from Friday night and nailed two majors to be among the Tigers best.

Both sides will now have a ten-day break before facing Clarence and Launceston respectively on Saturday 5 May. Round 5 will conclude this weekend when North Hobart host North Launceston at North Hobart Oval while Clarence face Launceston at Blundstone Arena. Both games kick off on Saturday from 2:00pm.