THE Tasmanian State League (TSL) Women’s minor premiership will be decided on the weekend when top of the table Clarence locks horns with second placed Launceston in a potential Grand Final preview. Indeed, those teams were last year’s grand finalists, with the Roos upsetting the Blues on the big day after Launceston had gone undefeated throughout the 2019 regular season. Fast forward to 2020 and Launceston got the better of Clarence earlier in the year, but now the stakes are higher with the minor premiership on the line.

Clarence sits four points clear on top of the table, and with both teams playing their last clash, it is a simple scenario. The Roos win and they secure the minor premiership. The Blues win, and due to their higher percentage, grab top spot and cannot be knocked off their perch. Third placed Glenorchy cannot grab top spot regardless of the result, with the Magpies having a bye and then facing North Launceston in the final round. However a Launceston loss would see Glenorchy leapfrog them with a Round 12 victory over the Bombers and gain home ground advantage for the semi-finals.

The winner of the clash not only secures the minor premiership, but will face North Launceston in the first week of finals. The Bombers have been more competitive than last placed Tigers, but there is minimal difference between the top three teams, and second has to take on third in the other semi-final. The last time the teams played, Launceston got up against an inaccurate Roos outfit, 6.5 (41) to 1.6 (12) at Windsor Park.

Abbey Green played what would be her only game of the season, slotting three goals in a best on ground performance, whilst the likes of regular performers, Camilla Taylor and Daria Bannister also slotted goals, as did Sian Beeton. Abbie Hoiberg-Cox and Melissa Smith also impressed in the win. For the Roos, leading goalkicker Jessie Williams booted the only goal of the match, whilst Louisa Marmion, Bronte Scott and Nicole Bresnehan all stood out.

Given Glenorchy is playing North Launceston in the final round, it is the last chance for Williams (16 goals), Jacinta Limbrick (12) and Bannister (11) to hit the scoreboard in the search of the leading goalkicker award. Magpie, Sarah Skinner has slotted 15 goals this season and is a huge chance to take the award if the Blues’ defence can hold the dangerous Williams. Others to watch for from a Clarence perspective are young guns, Amy Prokopiec and Netty Garlo, whilst Mia King and Angela Dickson have also had superb seasons.

Whilst that is the feature game, fourth placed North Launceston takes on fifth placed Tigers in a bottom two clash. For Tigers to get off the bottom, they would need to win by a substantial amount, though a win would close out the season with confidence, The Bombers can head into the final round off the back of a second win this season to try and upset Glenorchy in Round 12.

For the Bombers, the players to watch are Jodie Clifford, Kayla Sheehan and Maggie Cuthbertson who have all stood out this season, with Zoe Bourne another who has found her way into the best on multiple occasions. Hailee Baldwin has been named in the Tigers’ best on five occasions, whilst Mikayla Absolom, Mimosa Middleton Miller and Priscilla Odwogo have also stood out in a trying season for the young Tigers.

TSL WOMEN’S ROUND 11 FIXTURE:

Clarence vs. Launceston
Tigers vs. North Launceston