David Harding
Round 18 Review
August 16th 2010 08:35
Sourced: AFL Tasmania (via email.)
AFTER 90 games, the TSL top six is finally settled with two stand-out teams seemingly clear of the chasing pack. Burnie, Lauderdale, Hobart and South Launceston’s seasons all came to an end in round 18 as attention now turns to the five-week finals series.
Devonport secured third spot and a home final with a 10-point win over North Launceston at Devonport Oval. The Northern Magpies were wasteful in front of goal, with just eight goals from 30 scoring shots, with Ben Reynolds the only multiple goal-kicker for the victors, while young midfielder Rhys Mott was named Devonport’s best player for the seventh time in 11 games. The loss consigns the Northern Bombers to sixth and an appointment with North Hobart at North Hobart Oval next Sunday.
The Demons would have finished fourth, but slumped to their third loss of the season to Glenorchy, this time by two goals at KGV. Glenorchy dominated the first half, but North Hobart fought back to hit the lead in the last quarter.
However, the surge was short-lived, as the Southern Magpies rebounded again, with Jonathan Bowring leading the way with four goals while Simon Spencer dominated the ruck. The win sees Glenorchy finish fourth with the double chance –and a trip to Devonport to take on their Northern namesakes.
It is a remarkable performance given the roller-coaster ride the Southern Pies have been on through the home and away season that saw them a chance to miss finals action during the season.
Clarence and Launceston will head into next Saturday’s first qualifying final in fine form and full of confidence after both recorded huge, impressive victories.
Launceston played its first game at the TCA Ground since the restart of the TSL when it took on a Hobart side motivated by veteran Justin Harvey, playing in his club record 288th game.
The Tigers started well, opening up a five-point lead at the first change, but having weathered the early Hobart storm, Launceston went up a gear and left the Tigers far behind, eventually going onto a 74-point win. It was an impressive nine-goal to one second term where the Blues pressure caused the home side to continually turn the ball over, leading to easy Launceston goals and set up the big win. New Hudson Medallist Brian Finch was the main beneficiary with seven goals for the match to take his season tally to 81. But he was not the only one, with Scott Stephens and Luke French changing between onball and the forward pocket on way to four goals each, while Sam O’Keefe racked up 32 touches and two goals to be the best player on the ground.
Clarence cruised into the clash with the Blues with an effortless 67-point win over Lauderdale at Lauderdale Oval. Small forward Trent Standen continued his outstanding season with five majors, giving him 54 for the year. Clint Riley, Matthew Drury and Aaron French all chipped in with three goals, while Jacob Gillbee booted two goals for the Southern Bombers in what could possibly be his last game for Lauderdale depending on the outcome of the November AFL draft.
Just as importantly Clarence got through the game injury-free and hope to get back captain Nick Paine, veteran defender Cameron Blight and midfielders Jackson O’Brien and Matthew Geappen all set to return to take on the Blues.
Fittingly, Burnie finished 2010 with a big win with a comfortable 47-point victory over wooden spooner South Launceston at West Park. Harry and Nick Walters, Kade Munday, Luke Shackleton and Darren Banham all bagged two goals, a feat no Bulldog could achieve.
AFTER 90 games, the TSL top six is finally settled with two stand-out teams seemingly clear of the chasing pack. Burnie, Lauderdale, Hobart and South Launceston’s seasons all came to an end in round 18 as attention now turns to the five-week finals series.
Devonport secured third spot and a home final with a 10-point win over North Launceston at Devonport Oval. The Northern Magpies were wasteful in front of goal, with just eight goals from 30 scoring shots, with Ben Reynolds the only multiple goal-kicker for the victors, while young midfielder Rhys Mott was named Devonport’s best player for the seventh time in 11 games. The loss consigns the Northern Bombers to sixth and an appointment with North Hobart at North Hobart Oval next Sunday.
The Demons would have finished fourth, but slumped to their third loss of the season to Glenorchy, this time by two goals at KGV. Glenorchy dominated the first half, but North Hobart fought back to hit the lead in the last quarter.
However, the surge was short-lived, as the Southern Magpies rebounded again, with Jonathan Bowring leading the way with four goals while Simon Spencer dominated the ruck. The win sees Glenorchy finish fourth with the double chance –and a trip to Devonport to take on their Northern namesakes.
It is a remarkable performance given the roller-coaster ride the Southern Pies have been on through the home and away season that saw them a chance to miss finals action during the season.
Clarence and Launceston will head into next Saturday’s first qualifying final in fine form and full of confidence after both recorded huge, impressive victories.
The Tigers started well, opening up a five-point lead at the first change, but having weathered the early Hobart storm, Launceston went up a gear and left the Tigers far behind, eventually going onto a 74-point win. It was an impressive nine-goal to one second term where the Blues pressure caused the home side to continually turn the ball over, leading to easy Launceston goals and set up the big win. New Hudson Medallist Brian Finch was the main beneficiary with seven goals for the match to take his season tally to 81. But he was not the only one, with Scott Stephens and Luke French changing between onball and the forward pocket on way to four goals each, while Sam O’Keefe racked up 32 touches and two goals to be the best player on the ground.
Clarence cruised into the clash with the Blues with an effortless 67-point win over Lauderdale at Lauderdale Oval. Small forward Trent Standen continued his outstanding season with five majors, giving him 54 for the year. Clint Riley, Matthew Drury and Aaron French all chipped in with three goals, while Jacob Gillbee booted two goals for the Southern Bombers in what could possibly be his last game for Lauderdale depending on the outcome of the November AFL draft.
Just as importantly Clarence got through the game injury-free and hope to get back captain Nick Paine, veteran defender Cameron Blight and midfielders Jackson O’Brien and Matthew Geappen all set to return to take on the Blues.
Fittingly, Burnie finished 2010 with a big win with a comfortable 47-point victory over wooden spooner South Launceston at West Park. Harry and Nick Walters, Kade Munday, Luke Shackleton and Darren Banham all bagged two goals, a feat no Bulldog could achieve.
| 80 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog