MOTHERS DAY ROUND

THE WEEK THAT WAS | Review of last weeks games
TSL history was created under lights at Bellerive Oval on Saturday night with Launceston
rewriting the record books.
Launceston became the first team to defeat Clarence
at Bellerive in the history of TSL football and did so with
a 17-point victory. Coming into the game unbeaten and
full of confidence, the Blues took it up to wasteful Roos
outfit from the start. Unlike last year’s finals where it
was full-forward Brian Finch or bust, Launceston now
has multiple goal-kicking options. Both sides had 13
scoring shots in the first half, but it was the visitors who
led by 20-points as Clarence kicked 3.10. The Roos
came out firing after the long break, smashing seven
goals to grab the ascendency and seemingly on way
to keeping its unbeaten home record intact. Trailing
by four-points at the last change to the dual reigning
premier on the road, many sides would have folded, but
not Launceston. They kicked the last four goals of the
game to secure the best win in the competition. Joe
Groenewegen was outstanding while the Blues had 10
goal-kickers to illustrate their more even spread. The
result leaves Clarence with two losses, which is more
defeats than it suffered for all of 2010.
Glenorchy also continued its unbeaten start to the
season with a 40-point win over North Launceston at
Aurora Stadium. The Magpies trailed by seven points
at quarter time but dominated from then on with 14
goals to six after the first break. Co-captains Jaye
Bowden and Jon Bowring hit the scoreboard with nine
goals between them, while Brownlow Medallist Jason
Akermanis played his best game for his new side with
two goals and plenty of scoring assists. The Northern
Bombers again came up short against one of the TSL’s
big guns.
North Hobart put together a four-quarter performance
for the first time this season with a dominant 54-point
thrashing of a disappointing Burnie at North Hobart
Oval. The Demons also unearthed a potential star in
key forward Julien DeBosz. The 18-year-old kicked six
goals from 10 shots and dominated forward, while Ken
Hall racked up the touches and scored three majors.
Burnie lost three key players – Luke Shackleton,
Sam Whish-Wilson and Zac Hislop – before half time
that set them back but only kicked two goals after
half time. The one positive for the Dockers was the
improved form of big man Jason Laycock around the
ground and in the ruck.
Lauderdale did it the hard way but it recorded its
second win of the year with a come from behind ninepoint
win over Hobart at Lauderdale Oval. The Tigers
would rue yet another inconsistent performance as
they conceded the last five goals to none. Former VFL
midfielder Matthew Smith kicked three goals in a best
afield performance for the victors.
Many believed Devonport would not win a game this
season, but the young Magpies scored a 48-point win
over South Launceston at Devonport. A seven-goal to
two burst in the second quarter set up the win, with
Phil Crowden kicking five for the victors. The win was
the perfect tonic for the Pies but leaves the Bulldogs
without a win and eyeing off their third straight TSL
wooden spoon.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
Is it the end of Clarence’s reign as the TSL
powerhouse?
Where is the light at the end of the tunnel for South
Launceston?
The Torch
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