Bombers legend equals record as TSL team of year named

A North Launceston legend equalled the league record with a tenth team of the year selection, with nine grand final bound Bombers chosen in the side. Check out the team here.

North Launceston’s Brad Cox-Goodyer has equalled the TSL record with a tenth team of the year selection. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

North Launceston’s TSL dominance this season has been rewarded with nine selections in the team of the year before Saturday’s grand final showdown with Lauderdale.

Club legend Brad Cox-Goodyer was named captain after equalling Glenorchy talisman Jaye Bowden’s record with a tenth team of the year selection.

After guiding North Launceston to an unbeaten record in his first year in the job, Adrian Smith was named the coach of the year.

Bombers co-captain Fletcher Bennett and Harry Bayles were both named in the back-line, while Cox-Goodyer, Michael Stingel and Oscar Van Dam featured in the midfield.

Paul Hudson medallist Harvey Griffiths, Brandon Leary and Blade Sulzberger got the nod up forward, while the versatile Declen Chugg was named on the bench.

Clarence enjoys the next best representation with five and last year’s premiers Kingborough had four selected.

Lauderdale ruck Andrew Phillips and Nat Franklin were the selections from this Saturday’s other grand finalists.

Lauderdale’s Nat Franklin. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Despite handing over more responsibility to the likes of Van Dam, Stingel and Sulzberger in the engine room, Cox-Goodyer enjoyed arguably one of his best seasons in the league.

He averaged over 28 touches, 11 contested possessions, 6.5 clearances and nearly nine score involvements, while also booting 26 goals.

Nine players were chosen in the team of the year for the first time as the TSL prepares to bid farewell on Saturday to make away for northern and southern premier leagues.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Defenders

Back pocket: Tom Cleary (Clarence), Fullback: Ben Donnelly (Kingborough), Back pocket: James Bealey (Clarence), Half-back: flank Fletcher Bennett (North Launceston), Centre half-back: Harrison Gunther (vice captain, Glenorchy), Half-back flank: Harry Bayles (North Launceston)

Harry Bayles was best on ground for Tasmania in this year’s clash with NSW/ACT. Picture: Linda Higginson

Centres

Wing: Michael Stingel (North Launceston), Centre: Lachlan Clifford (Kingborough), Wing: Oscar Van Dam (North Launceston)

Forwards

Half-forward flank: Liam Jones (Launceston), Centre-half forward: Harvey Griffiths (North Launceston), Half-forward flank: Blade Sulzberger (North Launceston), Forward pocket: Brandon Leary (North Launceston), Full forward: Jack Tomkinson (Kingborough), Forward pocket: Josh Green (Clarence)

Josh Green. Picture Solstice Digital/Rod Thompson

Followers

Ruck: Andrew Phillips (Lauderdale), Ruck rover: Kieran Lovell (Kingborough), Rover: Brad Cox-Goodyer (captain, North Launceston)

Interchange

Noah Holmes (Clarence), Nat Franklin (Lauderdale), Oscar Paprotny (Clarence), Declen Chugg (North Launceston)

North Launceston coach Adrian Smith. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Coach: Adrian Smith (North Launceston)