Lauderdale’s newest defender to stop TSL’s most dangerous forward

Lauderdale’s backline “surprise packet” Will Poland has been assigned the unenviable task of stopping Launceston juggernaut Mitch Thorp when the Bombers take on the undefeated Blues at Windsor Park.

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LAUDERDALE’S backline “surprise packet” Will Poland has been assigned the unenviable task of stopping Launceston juggernaut Mitch Thorp when the Bombers take on the undefeated Blues at Windsor Park in TSL round four on Saturday.

Poland was named best afield in Lauderdale’s opening round win over Clarence at Lauderdale Oval, and was the Bombers’ best in an unexpected loss North Hobart last Saturday.

Lauderdale assistant-coach Clinton Brown said the young defender was up to the challenge.

“Mitch Thorp is the prime key forward in the competition and has been for a while, and Launceston look to go through him quite a bit, so that’s something we have looked at,” Brown said.

“Will has been in good form since we got him, and I didn’t realise how good he was when we got him from Kingston _ I probably under-estimated him.

“But he has been quite a handy pickup for us, given we lost Ed Trupp overseas.

“Will takes a lot of intercept marks, he reads the ball well off the boot so he positions himself quite well, whether he gets in front or starts behind his man.

“He’s a beautiful kick of the football too _ very penetrating. And to have a left-footer coming out of defence to compliment Josh McGuinness, and one who can kick the ball 60m to 70m, is a good asset to have.”

Lauderdale did its homework on Launceston, which has already demolished Glenorchy, North Launceston and the Tigers.

“Darren Winter [Lauderdale coach] and I have done a hefty review on Launceston and that’s the handy thing about having the games on Huddle, we can sit there and start watching the opposition straight away,” Brown said.

Launceston’s captain Jobi Harper is another concern.

“Jobi’s hard to match up one because he’s a ball-winner so we know he’s going to get the ball and be hard to stop,” Brown said.

“We’ve have Bryce Walsh play on him a couple of times in the past, which has worked well, because Bryce will also find the footy. So hopefully we can shut down Jobi at the stoppages and work him over going forward.”

Lauderdale expects to regain Mitch Anderton after a week off for concussion and midfielder Alex Hevey (back) is in doubt.