Launceston captain Jobi Harper takes Baldock Medal in Blues’ grand final win over Bombers

The TSL’s biggest, baddest onballer walked away with a premiership and the medal as best afield in Launceston’s brutal grand final victory.

Launceston captain Jobi Harper and playing coach Mitch Thorp lift the premiership trophy. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

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IT took a while for Launceston to unleash the “Beast” in the TSL grand final at UTAS Stadium on Saturday but when Jobi Harper got off the chain he caused untold damage to North Launceston’s chances of winning a historic fourth grand final on the trot.

Instead, Harper inspired the Blues to the TSL flag in the toughest grand final in the history of the TSL, and he has the Baldock Medal as best afield to prove it.

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Jobi Harper lays a diving tackle on Brad Cox-Goodyer. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Harper’s goal after the three-quarter-time siren pulled the margin back to one point in favour of the Bombers and gave Launceston belief it could get the job done.

“I wanted to play on and kick that goal on my left, and I took a step and the siren went so I had to go back rethink it,” he said.

“When [coach] Mitch Thorp gave me the captaincy two years ago the one thing I wanted to do was lift the cup with him standing next to me.

“He reminded me this morning what I said to him back then, and we were able to do that today.

“It’s nice to win the Baldock Medal but it wouldn’t mean anything without the premiership.”

Harper could not be more proud of his team.

“I love them,” he said.

“We stuck to our game plan, had the desire and probably our pressure and the way our backs held up.”

Launceston players dominated the medal voting.

Harper claimed it with 13 votes, ahead of teammates Jay Blackberry on 11, Tim Jones seven and Dylan Riley four.