Big Blue devours Pies and moves into lead in Lynch Medal race
Look out, here comes the Alastair Lynch Medal favourite in the race for the TSL’s best and fairest award. It was a tough call for the umpires – but did they make the right choice? COMPARE THE STATS + LATEST NOMINATIONS >>
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- North Launceston duo fired in TSL’s first midweek match while Blue closes gap to Lynch Medal leader
- Clarence tackling machine Oliver Davis crowned State League rookie of the year
A PERFORMANCE even the umpires couldn’t miss has put Launceston captain Jobi Harper into the lead for the Alastair Lynch Medal.
It took until round nine but Harper – the Blues midfield bull and Lynch Medal favourite – is finally in the lead in the race to be named the TSL’s best and fairest player.
And Harper did it with one of the most dominant games of the season.
Against Glenorchy on way to Launceston’s 97-point hammering of the Magpies, Harper was in a league of his own and probably deserved more than the maximum three votes given his dominance.
The Blues skipper had a huge 38 touches, 16 of those contested, took 13 marks, had 10 clearances, 12 inside 50s and kicked three goals from six scoring shots – all in a match with 20 per cent less game time than previous seasons.
For Clarence it was a case of young talent time in the Roos win over arch rival Lauderdale.
All the votes were picked up by the Roos teenage brigade, with the newly crowned Matthew Richardson Medallist Olliver Davis awarded best afield for 17 touches (11 contested) and six clearances.
Previous leader Ethan Jackson picked up one vote to be just one behind Harper, while 2017 Lynch Medallist, North Launceston star captain Bradley Cox-Goodyer is in striking distance in equal third after a one-vote performance in the win over North Hobart.
ALASTAIR LYNCH MEDAL (ROUND 9)
LAUNCESTON v GLENORCHY
3. Jobi Harper (Lton)
2. Jay Blackberry (Lton)
1. Fletcher Seymour (Lton)
NORTH HOBART v NORTH LAUNCESTON
3. Alexander Lee (NL)
2. Joshua Ponting (NL)
1. Bradley Cox-Goodyer (NL)
CLARENCE v LAUDERDALE
3. Olliver Davis (C)
2. Noah Holmes (C)
1. Ethan Jackson (C)
LEADERBOARD
10: Jobi Harper (Lton)
9: Ethan Jackson (C)
7: Bradley Cox-Goodyer (NL), Haydn Smith (Ldale)
6: Jay Blackberry (Lton), Jaye Bowden (G)
5: Dylan Riley (Lton), Joshua Ponting (NL), Kieran Lovell (T)
Tassie draft hopeful’s massive shoes to fill
There are literally no footy shoes in his home state big enough for gun young ruckman Oliver Dean but, despite that, he is ready to take the big step into the AFL at next month’s draft.
The support network driving Clark’s AFLW dream
Tasmania’s Georgia Clark has taken the first footsteps into her AFLW career in recent weeks including a debut. She reveals what’s been key in the journey.