Rampaging Jobi Harper almost missed Launceston’s win over Glenorchy – and the Magpies wish he did
He almost missed the game through illness, but instead put in an absolute masterclass to single-handedly destroy his opponents. Check his stunning figures and how the other top players rated. SEE ALL THE EXCLUSIVE STATS
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IF Godzilla ate Tokyo then Launceston captain Jobi Harper was the “beast” that munched on Glenorchy in their TSL contest at Windsor Park on Saturday with a season-high individual performance that surprised even the coach.
Shortly before the bounce, Blues leader Mitch Thorp was close to telling his captain to have the day off.
UNTOUCHABLE: READ THE FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
Harper was unwell and almost unable to take the field.
“He was very ill before the game, spewing up, so we had to make the decision as to whether he was going to play or not,” Thorp said.
“To come out and have 38 disposals, 13 marks, and kick three goals – he should have kicked five but he kicked three points in the first quarter – was a remarkable effort.
“He works hard both ways so there’s no secret to why he’s such a good player. He just works really hard.”
ALL THE WEEKEND’S TSL STATS:
North Hobart v North Launceston
Harper’s TSL Star Tracker Rating was through the roof at 209 points, and he did all of that while trying to shake two Glenorchy taggers.
“They had Ryan Banks-Smith run with him for periods of the game and Sam Rundle as well, but he just continued to work around the contest and in the contest really aggressively,” Thorp said.
Launceston’s 2019 best-and-fairest Fletcher Seymour posted what, under normal circumstances, would have been close to a weekly best, with a player rating of 143, while forward Dylan Riley earned 126.
Only two Glenorchy players rated over 100 – defenders Josh Arnold (31 disposals, nine rebound 50s) with 114 and Daniel Joseph (23 touches, eight marks, four rebound 50s) on 105.
North Launceston ruckman Alex Lee took care of business in the Northern Bombers’ 56-point thrashing of the Demons at North Hobart Oval.
Lee’s round-high 40 hit outs were backed up by 13 disposals and six clearances for a player rating of 157, while skipper Brad Cox-Goodyer rated 110 points.
North Hobart full-back Sam Collins had the most disposals on the day with 25, as well as five marks and a round-high 11 rebound 50s for a player rating of 108, equal with fellow defender Hugh Williams.
Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley (113) rated highest for the Roos in their win over Lauderdale at Richmond, while Bomber Josh McGuinness (134) was best on the day from 30 disposals, six contested, six marks, five clearances and nine rebound 50s.
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