LAUNCESTON is set to play host to a huge day of action at Windsor Park, as the Blues take on their cross-town rivals North Launceston. The Tasmanian State League (TSL) Women’s competition kicks off early at 9.30am with the standalone clash the only one for the competition over the weekend. The TSL senior match takes place at 2pm with the TSL Development clash in between.

There is no past experience this season being the opening game of the women’s competition, but to say Launceston would not be hungry for a win is an understatement. the Blues went undefeated last year from 15 games, made it to the grand final, led at every break, only for Clarence to boot two goals in the last term and run over the top of them and win in the biggest upset of the year by three points. In that game, Daria Bannister and the Haines twins (Libby and Chloe) both starred, despite the defeat.

North Launceston scraped into the finals last season but were beaten by Clarence in the first week to the tune of 34 points and finished the year with a host of defeats. The last time they played Launceston, the Bombers failed to score as the Blues won by 80 points in an inaccurate 10.20 display. Jodie Clifford and Sophie Townsend were named the top players in the losing side.

In the TSL match, Launceston had a great win in Round 1 and will be keen to build on that, led by coach Mitch Thorp and last week’s multiple goalkicker, Brody Palfreyman. Jared Dakin is a young gun to watch for the Blues in the match. North Launceston had a strong start to the game last week but had a bit of a scare late, though coach Taylor Whitford still managed the two majors and young gun tall forward Jackson Callow provided a presence in attack. They should still be favourites in the clash, though it is set to be a beauty.

In the other matches, top of the table Lauderdale take on a Glenorchy side that suffered defeat in Round 1, whilst Tigers enter the TSL for the first time this season, hosting the unlucky North Hobart who showed promising signs against the reigning premiers.

The Bombers and Magpies will lock horns at Lauderdale Oval, with the home side set to start strong favourites. Toutai Havea booted three goals in Lauderdale’s win last week, with three other multiple goalkickers. Glenorchy only booted the four goals, but have the dangerous Zac Webster running around in the black and white. The Demons have a number of terrific young talents as they travel to take on Tigers, with Jake Steele and Jye Menzie both booting multiple goals last round, and Patrick Walker and Sam Collins among the AFL Academy hub members in the side. Young gun, Oliver Burrows-Cheng and former AFL talent Kieran Lovell will run out for the first time this season, with Lachlan Gadomski another one who has attracted AFL interest in the past.

TSL ROUND 2:

Tigers vs. North Hobart
Lauderdale vs. Glenorchy
Launceston vs. North Launceston

TSLW:

Launceston vs. North Launceston

Bye: Clarence, Glenorchy, Tigers