After winning the Hudson Medal as the TSL’s top goal kicker, Dylan Riley is primed to spearhead Launceston in grand final

Launceston forward Dylan Riley was delighted to win the Peter Hudson Medal as the State League’s top goal kicker, but it was the surprise phonecall that blew him away.

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DYLAN Riley is not the most feared forward in the TSL without good reason and winning the Peter Hudson Medal as the State League’s leading goal kicking says why he is a backline’s enemy No. 1.

Riley knows he will have a target on his back when the Blues go up against cross-town rival North Launceston in the TSL grand final at UTas Stadium on Saturday.

Launceston’s full-forward accepted the Hudson Medal in Launceston yesterday, along with a phone call from “Huddo” himself.

“It was good to get a call from Peter Hudson. He congratulated me on winning the medal and wished us well for the grand final,” Riley said.

Launceston Football Club's Dylan Riley received the award for TSL leading goal kicker of 2020. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“I’m not nervous yet. I’ll get more nervous closer to the weekend.

“I’m pretty confident we can get the job done.”

Riley kicked 34 goals in the coronavirus-compacted TSL season, compared to last year’s winner, Aiden Grace, of Glenorchy, who kicked 48, and the State League record of 100 goals by former Launceston player Brian Finch in 2011.

“It’s the first time I’ve won it _ it’s a pretty big honour,” Riley said.

“The main thing is if it wasn’t for my teammates kicking the ball to me I probably wouldn’t have won it so a lot of the credit goes to those guys.”

Riley made his name in the State League as a ball-magnet in the midfield.

“It’s my first year playing forward, as the main forward. I usually run through the middle,” he said.

Launceston Football Club's Dylan Riley received the award for TSL leading goal kicker of 2020. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“I don’t have to go and do all of the hard now, I’ve only got to kick goals when it comes in.

“I’ve kicked a few bags but and that helps, but consistency is the key.

“The team success has been really good, especially for me, and I’m just looking forward to the weekend.”

Riley played with Mitch Thorp when he coached former TSL club Devonport, and moved to Launceston when “Thorpy” took over at the Blues.

“I’ve played with Mitch for five or six years,” Riley said.

“He’s done a lot for me over the years and helped me out a lot, so I’m happy to help him out by playing football and being a good teammate and good friend to him as well.

“A lot of credit to Mitch. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

The forward line chemistry between the two ace goal kickers is a potent combination.

“He’s always giving me a bit of stick – yelling at me to lead up or get out of the way,” Riley said.

“He knows when the ball comes in it’s either me kicking to him or him kicking to me, we do that a bit, but the main thing is the team success and we want to win a grand final.”