NORTH Launceston has gained top spot on the 2020 Tasmanian State League (TSL) ladder again after Launceston lost its third game of the season to slip to second on the table. With most of the AFL Draft hopefuls injured or playing school football this weekend, we focused on the game between Lauderdale and Launceston, and then wrapped up the other matches.

FEATURE GAME: Lauderdale 18.7 (115) defeated Launceston 7.10 (52)

By: Fraser Stewart

Lauderdale came from behind to defeat Launceston at Lauderdale Oval on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Blues 18.7 (115) to 7.10 (52). After Launceston kicked the first three goals of the match Lauderdale responded in emphatic fashion for the rest of the game as they claimed a 64 point win. 

Harry Richmond (14 disposals, seven marks, five goals), Samuel Siggins (12 disposals, three marks and three goals), Luke Nelson (18 disposals, six clearances and two goals), Toutai Havea (two goals), Hayden Smith, Josh McGuinness, Robbie McManus, Phillip Bellchambers and Tyler Martin all chipped in as they kicked a goal each in the home side’s emphatic win. For the away side, Jack Hinds booted three goals from 10 touches and four marks, and Jobi Harper (20 disposals, four marks, 11 clearances and two goals) were the standout performers in the losing side.

The younger players to watch included Nick Baker who was impressive with 18 touches, three marks, three clearances and seven rebounds in a strong performance, while Jared Dakin (15 disposals, three marks and five tackles) tried hard but could not have his usual output, and Isaac Chugg (12 disposals, three marks and three rebounds) also won enough of it out of defence, but like his teammates was unable to be as damaging as usual.–

OTHER RESULTS:

North Hobart 8.6 (54) defeated by Tigers 9.5 (59)
Clarence 9.5 (59) defeated by North Launceston 10.8 (68)
Glenorchy 8.2 (50) defeated by Tigers 8.12 (60)

By: Peter Williams

Tigers remarkably kept their finals hopes alive with back-to-back upset wins in Round 9 leaving North Hobart and Glenorchy in their wake. The Tigers won both games on the road by a combined 15 points, defeating the Demons in a mid-week fixture by five points, then toppling the Magpies on the weekend by 10 points.

Kieren Lovell had 21 disposals, seven clearances and five inside 50s against the Demons, but it was obvious he was just warming up for the weekend when he broke the season-record disposal count with 40 (18 contested), 13 clearances, six marks, six inside 50s, four rebounds and a goal in a remarkable effort. Fellow former AFL-listed talent Mackenzie Willis also impressed with 18 touches, four clearances and three inside 50s against the Demons, and 23 disposals, four clearances and three inside 50s against the Magpies. Tyler Carter booted 4.3 across the two matches to be the dominant goalkicker for the yellow and black.

Heading to school footy on the weekend, Sam Collins played on Wednesday night and helped himself to 17 disposals, six marks – two contested, three tackles and five one percenters, whilst fellow draft hopeful, Jye Menzie (12 disposals, six marks – two contested – and one goal) also player. Jayden Charlton stood out with 20 touches as at elite 90 per cent efficiency and 50 per cent contested rate, also having eight clearances, three marks and two inside 50s. Sam Caswell (14 disposals, two marks, seven clearances, two inside 50s and a goal) was the other Bomber to stand out in the loss.

For the Magpies, John Geard racked up 29 disposals, 10 clearances, six inside 50s, five marks and four tackles, one of a number of Glenorchy players to pick up big disposals numbers. Daniel Joseph (30 disposals, seven marks, three clearances, five inside 50s and five rebounds), Josh Arnold (28 disposals, six marks, four tackles and nine rebounds) and Callen Daly (23 disposals, six clearances, four tackles and three goals were also impressive. Jaye Bowden booted four goals from 13 disposals and five marks to do everything he could to drag his side across the line.

In the other match of the weekend, North Launceston went outright top on the TSL ladder with a nine-point win over Clarence. The Bombers had to come from a four-point half-time deficit to win in a tight one, led by Brad Cox-Goodyer (23 disposals, five clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal) and Jay Foon (23 disposals, seven marks and nine rebounds). Josh Ponting (19 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s and eight tackles) was lively, whilst bottom-ager Baynen Lowe booted two goals from 14 disposals.

For the Roos, Chris Nield was unstoppable up forward, slotting five straight goals from eight disposals and five marks – two contested – while Keegan Wylie was a standout through the middle with 21 disposals, four marks, 10 rebounds and a goal. Jarrod Harper was next best with 15 disposals, three clearances and three inside 50s, while Keren Howlett tried hard for 10 disposals, four clearances, three tackles and three inside 50s.

Picture: Solstice Digital & Photography