Dropped after being best on ground? Opening round Lynch Medal shock

Starting tonight, we exclusively reveal the votes for players in the race for the prestigious 2020 Alastair Lynch Medal for the TSL’s best and fairest player – and there’s already a big surprise in round one. FULL STATS >>

Football. Tasmanian State League. Hamish Leedham Launceston and James Deegan Glenorchy. Glenorchy V Launceston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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BEAUTY is in the eye of the beholder even in football – and that could not be demonstrated more in the votes for the TSL’s best and fairest, the Alastair Lynch Medal.

Each night online and then the following day in print, the Mercury will exclusively reveal the first 11 rounds for the premier individual award for the state’s premier football competition before the winner is announced on Friday, October 16.

And there is a shock in the opening round.

Fans, players, coaches and umpires can also compare the officials and media votes as well as the official stats from each game below.

Votes for the Lynch Medal are given out by the umpires who have their own unique view on the game from the thick of the action.

In round one, in which Launceston set the tone early for its strong season with a commanding 27-point win over Glenorchy at KGV, ruckman Hamish Leedham received the three votes.

Leedham was not named in the Blues best that day, or receive a vote in the media TSL player of the year award.

He was dropped the following week for youngster Tim Auckland and didn’t play another senior game.

However, a look at the stats shows the umpires votes aren’t completely without merit.

Leedham only had five kicks and one handball (with all six touches contested) and failed to take a mark, but he did have four clearances and an incredible 47 hit outs – which clearly impressed the men in charge.

ALASTAIR LYNCH MEDAL

ROUND 1

GLENORCHY v LAUNCESTON

3. Hamish Leedham (Lton)

2. Jamieson House (Lton)

1. Ben Kamaric (G)

Tasmanian State League round 1 stats

Tasmanian State League round 1 stats

NORTH LAUNCESTON v NORTH HOBART

3. Braden van Buuren (NL)

2. Joshua Ponting (NL)

1. Troy Cunliffe (NH)

Tasmanian State League round 1 stats

Tasmanian State League round 1 stats

LAUDERDALE v CLARENCE

3. Nat Franklin (Ldale)

2. Haydn Smith (Ldale)

1. Josh McGuinness (Ldale)

Tasmanian State League round 1 stats

Tasmanian State League round 1 stats

TSL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD (MEDIA)

ROUND 1

GLENORCHY v LAUNCESTON

3. Jamieson House (Lton)

2. Jake Smith (Lton)

1. Jobi Harper (Lton)

NORTH LAUNCESTON v NORTH HOBART

3. Braden van Buuren (NL)

2. Taylor Whitford (NL)

1. Baxter Norton (NH)

LAUDERDALE v CLARENCE

3. Josh McGuinness (Ldale)

2. Adrian Kalcovski (Ldale)

1. Toutai Havea (Ldale)

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