THIS week in Tasmanian football saw the state’s Under 18 side looking for a Under 18 Academy clean sweep, while the Round 7 TSL action brings the long-awaited 2017 Grand Final re-match.<\/p>\n
Mariners knock off Swans on way to undefeated championship run<\/strong><\/p>\n The Tassie Mariners were again impressive this past Saturday when they defeated a highly fancied Sydney Swans Academy by 42 points at KGV Oval in Glenorchy, Tasmania.<\/p>\n The Mariners, who are undefeated in the 2018 Under 18 Academy Series, performed strongly again and were able to run out 18.5 (113) to 12.9 (81) winners over last year’s title holders after a gutsy second-half performance. Tarryn Thomas<\/strong>, a member of the North Melbourne Next Generation Academy, put on another tantalising performance with many draft insiders now considering him a top three prospect in the 2018 AFL Draft. Thomas finished with best afield honours to go along with his two goals while renowned draft expert and AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin \u2018Shifter\u2019 Sheehan also heaped praise on the young talented midfielder.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe [Thomas] has great composure and clean hands \u2013 he doesn\u2019t fumble. We have challenging conditions today with a bit of a rain but it doesn\u2019t worry him, he is a one-grab player,” Sheehan said. \u201cHe has that poise to spot a target, he\u2019s kicked a couple of goals in the first half that were really special. He is a lovely size, is strong overhead and is an ideal size to play AFL and play in a variety of positions \u2013 he can play off half back, come through the midfield and win his own ball on the inside or play forward. \u201cHe is a very creative player and one we have enjoyed watching the last three years, he has been on the radar for all the clubs for a long time. North Melbourne look to have a gift in Thomas.”<\/p>\n The Mariners now turn their attention to the GWS Academy who they face this Saturday at Kingston’s Twin Ovals in Hobart.<\/p>\n TSL Round 7<\/strong><\/p>\n Round 7 action of the BUPA TSL kicks off this Saturday with the shape of the competition starting to take place.<\/p>\n Fresh off an upset victory over the previously undefeated\u00a0Glenorchy in Round 6, Clarence will travel to the Twin Ovals to face\u00a0Tigers who will be looking to rebound from their 91-point loss to\u00a0Launceston last week. Sitting 1-4 and second last on the table, the Tigers will be looking for midfield stars Ryan Matthews<\/strong>, Will Campbell<\/strong> and Lachy Clifford<\/strong> to step-up and ensure they don’t lose a third game at home this season. For the Roos, playing-coach Jeromey Webberley<\/strong> will be looking to back-up from his best performance of the season last week while Ryan Bailey<\/strong> will be pivotal in the ruck for the visitors.<\/p>\n