David Harding
TSL Finals Week 2 Review
August 30th 2010 14:17
Sourced: AFL Tasmania (via email.)
LAUNCESTON has earned itself a second crack at Clarence and the chance to host this year’s grand final.
The Blues had an arm-wrestle in the third qualifying final against Devonport at Aurora Stadium for close to three quarters, before putting the Northern Magpies to the sword and surging to a 59-point win.
Launceston started with a blaze, kicking six of the first seven goals, before it was Devonport’s turn to dominate play.
The second quarter was all black and white and the Magpies would have been within a kick at the main change if not for a late major to Launceston full-forward Brian Finch that saw the Blues hold onto a 10-point lead.
Devonport had a chance to push for the lead in the third term, only to undo its good work with five straight behinds.
The missed opportunities seemed to suck all belief from the Magpies, and the Blues pounced.
Hudson Medallist Brian Finch was superb in front of goal with six majors, clearly dominating opponent Alan Clements until Clements was forced from the ground in the last quarter with a hamstring strain.
Blues captain Scott Stephens spent most of the game across half-forward instead of his usual on-ball spot, and the move worked beautifully.
Stephens kicked 3.3 and was a handful all day either in the air or on the ground.
Joe Groenewegen held his own in the ruck, allowing Andrea Miar to pick up Magpies key forward Ben Reynolds after Adrian Finch left the field with an injury.
Sam O’Keefe was devastating through the middle for the Blues, with support from Michael Sinclair who also kicked three goals.
For the vanquished, Rhys Colbeck was a handful all day at full-forward and kicked four goals, and Chris McDonald battled hard all day.
The Blues will now take on Clarence at Bellerive for a spot in the grand final and the right to host the decider.
The Northern Magpies have another chance next week, but will be without Vin Ponsonby who dislocated his right shoulder in the first term and possibly Clements.
They will host North Hobart after the Demons put an undermanned Glenorchy to the sword. Already missing a flock of players, the Southern Magpies were further decimated by the withdrawal of David O'Garey (hamstring), Simon Spencer (knee), Mark Corbett (hamstring) and Jake Cox (disciplinary reasons), while David Hunt and Jonathon Bowring played under injury. With the lack of manpower, Glenorchy quickly fell behind as the Demons dominated from the outset.
North Hobart won every quarter on way to a 58-point win, with captain Ken Hall, playing-coach Clinton Brown, forward Paul Allison and ruckman Matthew Muir all booted three goals for the Demons.
Stand-in captain Jaye Bowden was by far the Magpies best and also booted a game high four goals.
The loss not only ended Glenorchy’s season, but also Ben Reid’s coaching reign at Magpie land. Reid announced yesterday was his last game to give him more time to spend with his young family.
LAUNCESTON has earned itself a second crack at Clarence and the chance to host this year’s grand final.
The Blues had an arm-wrestle in the third qualifying final against Devonport at Aurora Stadium for close to three quarters, before putting the Northern Magpies to the sword and surging to a 59-point win.
Launceston started with a blaze, kicking six of the first seven goals, before it was Devonport’s turn to dominate play.
The second quarter was all black and white and the Magpies would have been within a kick at the main change if not for a late major to Launceston full-forward Brian Finch that saw the Blues hold onto a 10-point lead.
Devonport had a chance to push for the lead in the third term, only to undo its good work with five straight behinds.
The missed opportunities seemed to suck all belief from the Magpies, and the Blues pounced.
Hudson Medallist Brian Finch was superb in front of goal with six majors, clearly dominating opponent Alan Clements until Clements was forced from the ground in the last quarter with a hamstring strain.
Blues captain Scott Stephens spent most of the game across half-forward instead of his usual on-ball spot, and the move worked beautifully.
Stephens kicked 3.3 and was a handful all day either in the air or on the ground.
Joe Groenewegen held his own in the ruck, allowing Andrea Miar to pick up Magpies key forward Ben Reynolds after Adrian Finch left the field with an injury.
Sam O’Keefe was devastating through the middle for the Blues, with support from Michael Sinclair who also kicked three goals.
For the vanquished, Rhys Colbeck was a handful all day at full-forward and kicked four goals, and Chris McDonald battled hard all day.
The Blues will now take on Clarence at Bellerive for a spot in the grand final and the right to host the decider.
The Northern Magpies have another chance next week, but will be without Vin Ponsonby who dislocated his right shoulder in the first term and possibly Clements.
They will host North Hobart after the Demons put an undermanned Glenorchy to the sword. Already missing a flock of players, the Southern Magpies were further decimated by the withdrawal of David O'Garey (hamstring), Simon Spencer (knee), Mark Corbett (hamstring) and Jake Cox (disciplinary reasons), while David Hunt and Jonathon Bowring played under injury. With the lack of manpower, Glenorchy quickly fell behind as the Demons dominated from the outset.
North Hobart won every quarter on way to a 58-point win, with captain Ken Hall, playing-coach Clinton Brown, forward Paul Allison and ruckman Matthew Muir all booted three goals for the Demons.
Stand-in captain Jaye Bowden was by far the Magpies best and also booted a game high four goals.
The loss not only ended Glenorchy’s season, but also Ben Reid’s coaching reign at Magpie land. Reid announced yesterday was his last game to give him more time to spend with his young family.
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