THIS WEEKS GAMES

THE WEEK THAT WAS | Review of last weeks games
Any thoughts Clarence would give up its crown without a fight have been completely dispelled
as the Roos put one of the early season premiership favourites to the sword at Bellerive Oval
on Saturday.
Glenorchy started the season on fire, including a
convincing win over Clarence, but injuries have
beset the Magpies, resulting in four losses in
five weeks. Clarence is starting to put together a
possible premiership team, with Matthew Drury and
Ben Setchell, while the Magpies were without cocaptain
and best player Jaye Bowden, key midfielder
Rhys Mott, ruckman Simon Spencer, boom recruit
Jason Akermanis and veteran Mark Corbett. While
dominating general play, Clarence could not find
the big opening, returning just seven goals from 26
scoring shots at three quarter time, leaving the Pies
just 14 points in arrears at the last change and well
in the game. But the Roos dominance resulted in
goals in the last term as they piled on eight goals to
three.
Notwithstanding the Roos form, Launceston remains
the premiership favourite after dishing out a
112-point hiding to North Hobart at Windsor Park on
Sunday. While Brian Finch up forward was superb
with another seven goals, the Blues defence was
just as impressive restricting the Demons to just one
goal at the last change. The Demons were without
captain Ken Hall for the first time due to an ankle
injury, but this was no excuse for the embarrassing
performance.
North Launceston ended Hobart’s finals chances at
the TCA with a 28 point win, set up in the first term.
The Northern Bombers jumped the sluggish Tigers,
racing out to a 31-point lead at the first change. The
Tigers whittled down the lead to just nine points early
in the final quarter and it seemed they were charging
home. But Darren Crawford kicking a great goal –
his third for the game – before 17-year-old Zac Burt
sealed the visitors win with the last two majors of the
game.
Burnie held off the in-form Lauderdale at West Park
with a 32-point victory set up with a five goal to one
third term. Andrew Lee and Rohan Baldock both
kicked four apiece for the victors while young forward
Ryan Wiggins was inspirational for the vanquished,
booting six of his side’s nine goals.
There was also great joy at the foot of the ladder
as South Launceston handed over last-place to
Devonport with a 45-point win over the Northern
Magpies at Youngtown Oval on Sunday. The Bulldogs
set up their first win of the season with five goals
to none in the opening term, with forward Braden
McGee finishing with five majors for the match as
Mitch Hills registered his maiden victory as coach.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
How will North Hobart and Lauderdale react when
they meet again for the first time after the fiery round
one clash?
The Torch
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