Launceston powers away from Clarence to head into finals campaign with a head of steam
Clarence threatened to repeat its round six shock of then-undefeated Launceston, but the Blues found another gear late to wrap up its home and away season in style.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WITH second spot and a home semi-final already locked away, Launceston had little to play for in its last TSL roster match.
However, eager to atone for their shock defeat to Clarence in round six — their first of the season — the Blues didn’t let the hosts off lightly at Richmond Oval in the rematch.
The Roos were brave and threatened to pull off a second boilover after keeping the visitors goalless in the second and third quarters, but the northerners’ class shone through in the last as they ran out 6.14 (50) to 4.3 (27) victors.
Aided by the breeze, Launceston rattled home with the only four goals of the last stanza to turn a four-point three-quarter time deficit into a 23-point win.
It gave the Blues the 2020 “set”, a win against every team in the competition, which was the driving force on their last trip south for the season as they enjoy a bye before embarking on their finals campaign.
“Obviously it was a dead rubber game but the boys wanted to finish our home and away season on a positive note and 9-3 is a great home and away season,” coach Mitch Thorp said.
“The conversation we had was we had beaten everyone else so there was certainly some motivation there to make sure we go into the finals series having beaten everyone.”
Kicking against the breeze, it was the Blues who started stronger, nabbing goals through Dylan Riley and Michael Musicka and dominating territory to edge ahead by eight points at the first change after Luke Swinton got the Roos on the board.
However, the visitors wasted their opportunities with the breeze, with the home side snaring the only goal of the second term when debutant Colby Whitelaw, son of multiple premiership star Trent, converted from 25m after a 50m penalty.
Josh Green and Oli David both slotted classy set shots after the long break to push Clarence ahead, but Launceston was able to respond.
Jake Hinds, Jared Dakin and late season recruit Tim Jones all stood tall when it mattered late, while Joe Groenewegen’s performance in the ruck with Tim Auckland left out added further food for thought for Thorp.
“I thought we had control of the game to be honest, all the statistical numbers suggested it,” Thorp said.
“We had our hands on the ball a lot, we had lots of inside 50s, lots of clearances.
“But they do well, they put lots of numbers back behind the footy and start their offensive chain from behind.
“Once we evened up our numbers in front of the ball late we scored. It was pleasing to find a way to win.”
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.