JUST three states had unimpeded state league competitions over the weekend with the Tasmanian State League (TSL), West Australian Football League (WAFL) and Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) take place, with a trio of Victorian Football League (VFL) matches in Queensland. We recap the results over the weekend.

Tasmania (TSL):

Lauderdale caused an upset on Saturday, defeating the fourth-placed Tigers by a narrow two-point margin. The Bombers led at every break, taking a 15-point advantage heading into the final term, before a fourth quarter fightback from the Tigers saw them kick four straight goals and take the lead. Consecutive goals to Edward Stanley and Samuel Siggins meant the Bombers snuck home in a thrilling contest.

Ex-Brisbane and Geelong player Allen Christensen booted three goals for Lauderdale, while Luke Graham also kicked three majors for the away side. Siggins’ final quarter goal added to his strong performance, while Lachlan Gadomski was excellent for the Tigers.

The win for the Bombers sees them jump Glenorchy into fifth spot after the Magpies conceded a 10-point three quarter time lead to go down to the rampant Roos who booted five last quarter goals to none to win by 25 points.

Meanwhile in North Hobart, visitors North Launceston were victorious by 36 points. The Northern Bombers were led by Brandon Leary who added five goals to his season tally.

Western Australia (WAFL):

A thrilling final quarter made bottom three clash between East Perth and West Coast the game of the round with the Eagles just hanging on to win by two points. Led by captain Hamish Brayshaw (27 disposals, one goal) and AFL listed players Jackson Nelson (32 disposals, nine tackles), Alex Witherden (25 disposals), Luke Foley (25 disposals), and big man Nathan Vardy (three goals, 31 hit outs) the Eagles just managed to hold off the fast-finishing Royals who kicked 5.6 to 0.0 in the final quarter. Angus Scott (33 disposals) and Matthew Young (three goals) both had an impact for the home side.

West Perth made it six wins on the trot after defeating Peel 12.10.82 to 8.10.58. League leading goal-kicker Tyler Keitel added another seven goals to his name, while Shane Nelson (34 disposals) and Aaron Black (32 disposals) continued to find the footy. Taylin Duman (32 disposals, 13 marks) and Blake Acres (27 disposals) will be hoping for a recall to Fremantle’s senior team, while Benjamin Hancock (30 disposals) also played well.

Top two sides Subiaco and Claremont were both victorious on the weekend defeating South Fremantle and East Fremantle respectively. Leigh Kitchin (33 disposals) and Gregory Clark (32 disposals) led the way for Subiaco, while Callan England and Jake Patmore both booted four goals for Claremont. Swan Districts, led by Samuel Fisher collecting 37 touches, maintained their place in fifth after a 24-point win over Perth.

New South Wales/Queensland/Victoria (VFL):

With New South Wales and Victoria still in lockdown, only three VFL games took place this weekend, all in Queensland. The third last Bombers, who are temporarily located in Queensland took on Southport, and with just 10 AFL-listed players available, the rest of the team was literally made up of ‘ring ins’. Richmond premiership player Alex Rance and ex-Saint Paddy McCartin both featured for the makeshift Bombers team who took it right up to top-two hope Southport, leading at every break before Tom Fields kicked a match-winning snap with just a couple of minutes remaining to secure the four points for the Sharks. Jacob Dawson (34 disposals) led the way for the Sharks along with Fields (two goals, 22 touches) and Mackenzie Willis (28 disposals, 15 marks). For the Bombers, McCartin booted three goals playing forward as opposed to his usual spot in defence for the Swans VFL team. Dylan Clarke had 31 touches, while Rance was an important inclusion in defence.

The Giants defeated the Lions by 27 points on the Gold Coast to help their chances of maintaining a top eight spot. Like the Bombers, the Giants had limited players available. The Giants had 13 players and borrowed nine others from crosstown rival Sydney. AFL omissions Jeremy Finlayson (three goals, 22 disposals) and Zach Sproule (two goals, 27 disposals) both responded in a big way, while Swan Ryan Clarke (38 disposals) had the most touches on the day with teammate Dylan Stephens (26 disposals) also impactful. AFL-listed Lions Tom Joyce (29 disposals), Rhys Mathieson (29 disposals) and Brock Smith (27 disposals) each had plenty of the footy, and Nakia Cockatoo booted two goals as he edges closer to a debut game with the Lions in the AFL.

Meanwhile, the Suns were big winners against Apsley. Joel Jeffrey was dominant in attack kicking nine goals straight in the 78-point victory. Matthew Payne had 35 touches for the Hornets, while Malcolm Rosas had 30 touches for the Suns. Darcy MacPherson put his forward pressure on display with a couple of goals to go along with 26 touches and 12 tackles.

Queensland (QAFL):

Labrador moved into top spot on the ladder after an 18-point win over Mt Gravatt. Charles Ford had four goals on the day, while Tom Simpson was among the best for the Tigers. For the Vultures, Jonah Licht and Benji Neal each had three majors. Surfers Paradise defeated Maroochydore to move into fourth spot following an epic comeback victory. Trailing by 18 points at three quarter time the Demons blew the Roos away in the final term with a six goal to nothing last quarter. Matthew Green led the way for the Demons with three goals in the last quarter to set up the 17-point win.

In other results, John Baker (five goals) and Thomas Baulch (four goals) both cashed in on a 71-point win by the Sherwood Districts over Morningside, and second last Wilston Grange defeated the winless Noosa by 14 points. Palm Beach Currumbin, Broadbeach, and Redland-Victoria Point all had a bye in Round 17.

Picture credit: RF Photography / AFL Photos