Balance key for Bayles in dominant display for ‘The Map’

An ability to complement his devastating running game with contest work has been the recipe for success for North Launceston’s Harry Bayles after his star showing for Tasmania on Saturday.

Harry Bayles, pictured with coach Trent Baumeler, won the Lefroy Medal as Tasmania’s best in Saturday’s tight loss to Sydney/Canberra. Picture: Linda Higginson

His running power has torn teams apart, but complementing it with contest work has given North Launceston young gun Harry Bayles belief he can dominate games after his star showing for Tasmania.

The 20-year-old racked up 37 touches across half-back in Tasmania’s six-point loss to Canberra/Sydney at UTAS Stadium on Saturday, and was duly rewarded with the Lefroy Medal as their best player.

Bayles brought up his 50th TSL game for the unbeaten Bombers earlier this season, and his speed and huge engine was on display against the mainlanders.

However he also doesn’t shirk the contest, and has found a balance between fulfilling his defensive duties and taking the game on.

An effort to spoil Clarence’s Tom Cleary in a win over the Roos five weeks ago stands out.

Bayles left his man and spoiled the ball over the boundary line, colliding heavily with Cleary.

“I do remember that contest and it took me a while to get up,” Bayles said.

“You always try and put your body on the line no matter the circumstances. We play a physical game so you’ve just got to do those types of things.”

Bayles ability to break lines set up a number of Tassie attacking raids, but the hosts weren’t able to fully capitalise after booting 8.16.

“There’s higher expectations (playing for Tassie), but you still feel like you can bring your strengths,” Bayles said.

“I can get very attacking and sometimes I got into the attacking 50 which isn’t ideal. But it’s finding that balance between doing my role which is defending first and having good offense off that.”

Bombers coach Adrian Smith, also an assistant for Tasmania on Saturday, said Bayles’ greater strength and fitness this year has allowed him to elevate his game.

“We’re giving him a license to be offensive in his play, to set us up and create. But there’s times when he’s going to have to defend and he’s finding that balance,” Smith said.

The impressive thing with him of late is when it’s his turn to win a contest, he goes and does it and impacts the game that way as well.

“He’s stronger physically this year, but stronger with his power running. His work rate to defend is really high and it helps him stand out because he can go up the ground, but when it’s turned over he’s able to work back.

“That’s allowed him to be more offensive, his fitness and running power is there.”

Although he admitted he’d prefer the TSL to remain in place next year, Bayles backed the senior academies in all three regions announced by AFL Tasmania this week to be a strong pathway.

It was also announced representative fixtures would increase from two to “five or six” next season to help prepare for Tasmania’s planned VFL/W entry in 2026.

“I reckon it will be good, the academies coming through. I’m really looking forward to it, hopefully being able to play for Tassie more,” Bayles said.

“Ideally the TSL would stay but it’s not staying, using the academies to do everything I can to improve my footy at that level would be my goal.”