Blues ball magnet guaranteed to be crowned media player of the year with a Tigers star able to share spoils

Only a best afield performance this weekend from gun Tiger Kieran Lovell will be enough to stop Launceston bull Jobi Harper from being crowned solo State League player of the year

WINNER: Launceston's Jobi Harper (middle) competes with for the ball against Clarence's Ethan Jackson (left) in the Round 12 TSL game between Clarence v Launceston from Richmond Oval. Despite a quiet game against the Roos, Harper will at worst share the player of the year award. Picture: Solstice Digital

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• Blues run over top of Clarence to complete State League set

LAUNCESTON ball magnet Jobi Harper will walk away with this year’s TSL media award — and only a Tigers midfield maestro is able to share the spoils.

Harper, who has put together an outstanding 2020 campaign, had arguably his quietest game of the season in the win against Clarence on Saturday.

With the Blues having the last round bye, the 14 votes he has polled in the player of the year award is enough to see him earn the title for the first time.

It will be well deserved for the inside bull, who is fourth in the league for disposals (22.7), second for contested possessions (13.1), first for hard ball gets (5.4), second for clearances (7.3) and fifth in player rating points (110.3).

Whether Harper wins the award outright or is declared co-winner will be determined by Kieran Lovell’s performance against Lauderdale.

CHASING: Tiger Kieran Lovell is the only player who can catch Jobi Harper at the top of the player of the year leaderboard. Picture: SOLSTICE DIGITAL

Lovell sits in the third spot with 11 votes, and will need a best afield outing against the Bombers to join Harper atop the leaderboard.

Hudson medallist Dylan Riley currently sits second with 12 votes, but like Harper will be unable to add to his tally.

Retiring Glenorchy star Jaye Bowden earned two votes in his final State League appearance on Sunday as the Pies fell narrowly short of sending off the modern day great in perfect fashion.

Glenorchy star Jaye Bowden picked up two votes in his last TSL game. Picture Chris Kidd

The Pies recovered from 20 points down early in the final term to fall short by three, with Demon youngster Tom Reeves landing the three votes for his 21 disposal effort, which included seven inside 50s, four clearances and two rebound 50s.

Taylor Whitford secured the maximum votes from teammate Josh Ponting in North Launceston’s big win against Tigers, while Sam Siggins’ effort in the ruck in the second half

against the Pies on Wednesday night after Haydn Smith went down with a dislocated ankle saw him gain best afield honours.

ROUND 12 VOTES

GLENORCHY V LAUDERDALE

3 Sam Siggins (L)

2 Phil Bellchambers (L)

1 Nathan Oakes (L)

CLARENCE V LAUNCESTON

3 Jake Hinds (L)

2 Oli Davis (C)

1 Tim Jones (L)

NORTH LAUNCESTON V TIGERS

3 Taylor Whitford (NL)

2 Josh Ponting (NL)

1 Daniel Withers (NL)

NORTH HOBART V GLENORCHY

3 Tom Reeves (NH)

2 Jaye Bowden (G)

1 Troy Cunliffe (NH)

LEADERBOARD

14: Jobi Harper (Laun)

12: Dylan Riley (Laun)

11: Kieran Lovell (T)

10: Josh McGuinness (Laud)

7: Jackson Callow (NL), Jaye Bowden (G), Alex Lee (NL)

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