Kingborough start TSL season undefeated after North Launceston win

Kingborough have sent an early message to the rest of the TSL competition following a strong win in round two while Lauderdale rebounded strongly against Glenorchy. See the results.

Kieran Lovell gets a kick away for the Tigers. The ball magnet copped strong attention from Blade Sulzberger for most of the game. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Kingborough have sent an early season warning to the rest of the TSL competition with a commanding 55-point win over North Launceston on Saturday.

In a fiery and spiteful contest at the Twin Ovals, it was the home side that controlled play from the outside and ran away with a 14.11 (95) to 6.5 (41) victory thanks to a blistering third term.

Eddie Cole responded well following a quiet game last week. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After an old-school melee broke out following the halftime siren, it was the Tigers that let their football do the talking in the third quarter as they kicked six goals to one to put the result beyond any doubt after dominating the first half.

After labelling the Bombers as a premiership chance earlier in the week, Tigers coach Trent Baumeler was incredibly satisfied with the performance of his side.

“Really pleased with that third quarter,” Baumeler said.

“It’s something that was discussed, that historically third quarters haven’t been great for us, but to be able to put score on the board and kick accurately was good.

Tigers coach Trent Baumeler was pleased with the six-goal to one third term from his side. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Early in the game we didn’t do ourselves any favours. I think it was 3.4 at quarter time and we felt like we were really on top of the game so to tidy that up in the third quarter was really pleasing.”

While skipper Lachie Clifford and Kieran Lovell – who copped strong attention from Blade Sulzberger around stoppage – were solid throughout, it was the work of Lochie Griggs and James Webb in the middle that was the standout.

Griggs backed up a terrific round one outing with another really strong four-quarter game with the highlight a pack mark followed by a goal in the second term while Webb worked himself into the contest well after quarter time in his second appearance since crossing from Cygnet.

“I thought Lochie was outstanding last week and again today,” Baumeler said.

“It’s nice to see him getting back to that form he had in 2019. His start to the year all comes back to a really great pre-season. He got himself fitter than he has been and as a winger he can get up and down the ground more and you never question his courage. His ability to go back and take intercept marks is a strong feature of his game.”

James Webb was one of the Tigers best against North Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Big man Jack Tomkinson provided a strong marking target when inside 50 and finished with two goals alongside Max Collidge (three) while Will Campbell (two) again showed plenty spending more time forward given the depth of the Tigers on-ball brigade.

Last year’s grand finalists will now enjoy a 10-break break before hosting Glenorchy at home on Anzac Day with the Magpies looking to rebound after a 71-point loss to Lauderdale on Saturday.

Glenorchy produced a strong two and a half quarters against the Bombers at home before the visitors flicked the switch midway through the third term to run away with a 19.16 (130) to 9.5 (59) win.