David HardingFight to secure finals spots
August 10th 2010 01:58
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
By BRETT STUBBS
CLARENCE and Launceston may have first and second tied up respectively but the other top four spots are all up for grabs going into the final round of the TSL season.
Devonport, North Hobart, North Launceston and Glenorchy hold down spots four to six in that order at the moment, but in this Saturday's round 18 the Northern Magpies host the Northern Bombers and the Demons take on the Southern Magpies at KGV.
The eventual make-up of the positions could be crucial as third and fourth get the double chance and it will be curtains for 2010 for the loser of fifth and sixth. Both third and fifth get to host the final in their region.
North Hobart playing coach Clinton Brown said ladder position after the home and away season was vital.
"We can still finish third if North Launceston beats Devonport next week and if we win, because our percentage is far better than Devonport's," Brown said yesterday.
"That's probably an unlikely scenario given Devonport's form at the moment but it is a possibility."
The clash of North Hobart and Glenorchy is between two of the TSL's most inconsistent sides, with both capable of the sublime and the ridiculous - sometimes in the same game.
Glenorchy has won both clashes between them this season but both of those wins were at North Hobart Oval.
"They seem to play North Hobart well," Brown said.
"They are a funny side, they are a bit like us at the moment.
"Their form is a little bit up and down. One minute they're hot and the next they're cold, and you just don't know what you are going to get, which is a bit like us."
North's confidence was boosted by Saturday's 91-point thrashing of South Launceston, and Glenorchy also returned to the winner's list with a hard-fought seven-point win over Lauderdale.
Brown expected midfielder Matthew Creese (hamstring) and Ollie Di Venuto (knee) to return to the side from injury but ruckman Matthew Muir (buttock) was not likely to be back until the finals.
By BRETT STUBBS
CLARENCE and Launceston may have first and second tied up respectively but the other top four spots are all up for grabs going into the final round of the TSL season.
Devonport, North Hobart, North Launceston and Glenorchy hold down spots four to six in that order at the moment, but in this Saturday's round 18 the Northern Magpies host the Northern Bombers and the Demons take on the Southern Magpies at KGV.
The eventual make-up of the positions could be crucial as third and fourth get the double chance and it will be curtains for 2010 for the loser of fifth and sixth. Both third and fifth get to host the final in their region.
North Hobart playing coach Clinton Brown said ladder position after the home and away season was vital.
"We can still finish third if North Launceston beats Devonport next week and if we win, because our percentage is far better than Devonport's," Brown said yesterday.
"That's probably an unlikely scenario given Devonport's form at the moment but it is a possibility."
The clash of North Hobart and Glenorchy is between two of the TSL's most inconsistent sides, with both capable of the sublime and the ridiculous - sometimes in the same game.
Glenorchy has won both clashes between them this season but both of those wins were at North Hobart Oval.
"They seem to play North Hobart well," Brown said.
"They are a funny side, they are a bit like us at the moment.
"Their form is a little bit up and down. One minute they're hot and the next they're cold, and you just don't know what you are going to get, which is a bit like us."
North's confidence was boosted by Saturday's 91-point thrashing of South Launceston, and Glenorchy also returned to the winner's list with a hard-fought seven-point win over Lauderdale.
Brown expected midfielder Matthew Creese (hamstring) and Ollie Di Venuto (knee) to return to the side from injury but ruckman Matthew Muir (buttock) was not likely to be back until the finals.
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