Lauderdale secure 39-point win over Kingborough; Glenorchy defeat Launceston to secure second win
Lauderdale secured it’s most impressive win of 2024 on Saturday while Glenorchy’s win earned massive praise from coach Josh Arnold.
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Lauderdale has produced its most impressive win of 2024 with the Bombers handing Kingborough a second straight defeat at SkyBus Oval on Saturday.
In the first meeting of two sides many predicted to be premiership favourites heading into the final year of the TSL, it was the home side that put together a blistering third-quarter display to finish winners 12.15 (87) to 6.12 (48).
With just two-points separating the two sides after an inaccurate first-half, the Bombers flicked the switch post the long break, kicking the opening two goals of the third before slamming on a further three to take a 21-point lead into the final change.
A Tyler Carter goal in the opening three minutes of the last cut the margin back to 15 but an immediate response from Allen Christensen ensured any momentum the Tigers were building was shut off.
Key tall Cam Hooker (four goals) continued his stellar start to the year since returning from SFL club Dodges Ferry, while skipper Nat Franklin’s blistering run of form also remained hot alongside Andrew Phillips in the ruck.
The round 7 clash was also the long-awaited return of favourite son Mitch Robinson to Lauderdale with the former Carlton and Brisbane AFL star making his TSL debut after being drafted from the old Southern Football League in 2008.
Robinson started the contest in the middle and had plenty of footy, slotting his single goal midway through the opening term, but likely didn’t have a dominating impact many predicted heading in.
Three-time Alastair Lynch Medalist Sam Siggins was also prolific but came undone inside 50, kicking 2.5, while defender Taine Sookee held the dangerous Carter to the solitary goal in an impressive defensive display.
Tigers ball magnet Kieran Lovell was excellent across the game, backing up his 35 and 42 disposal efforts against North Launceston and Glenorchy, with the Darrel Baldock medallist arguably the competition’s most in-form player.
With Jack Tomkinson still missing through suspension, Marcus Gardner didn’t lower his colours against Phillips with one of the TSL’s most underrated ruck men putting in one of the game’s better performances.
Attention will quickly shift for Lauderdale to Friday night’s clash against an in-form Clarence side boasting three-time Richmond premiership star Jack Riewoldt.
The Eastern Shore rivals will meet at Blundstone Arena from 6.30pm before the Bombers face North Launceston and Glenorchy to round out the first-half of the season.
Tigers coach Trent Baumeler will be left looking for answers during the week with his side losing consecutive games for the first time in over 12 months.
Now sitting fourth on the ladder with a 3-3 record, the 2023 premiers face North Hobart and Launceston in consecutive weeks before a round 10 bye.
Meanwhile, Glenorchy coach Josh Arnold has praised the maturity of his young side to respond from last week’s heavy loss to Clarence with a hard-fought 13-point win over Launceston on Saturday.
The Magpies were challenged throughout by the Blues but did enough to turn an eight-point lead at the final break into a 12.9 (81) to 10.8 (68) win.
After going down to Clarence by 105 points last week, Arnold was proud of his sides’ ability to respond in their second win of the season.
“We went in with a plan and throughout the week, we reviewed the game (against Clarence) very heavily and adjusted training to suit that and I thought today, the guys really executed that,” Arnold said.
“I thought they were fantastic, led exceptionally well by Harrison Gunther and Jordan Hayden.
“But for younger guys like Sam McNamara, Blake Waight, Isaac Manson, Josh Meredith, Kobey Phillips and Braidy Simpson to stand up and also play well really takes the pressure of the older guys and that’s a great sign of growth for our footy club.”
Waight slotted three goals in the win, alongside Adam Roberts, while veteran Jaye Bowden (two) hit the scoreboard in his second game back in the TSL.
The Magpies will now head into a bye with a 2-4 record with Arnold confident they can take the momentum of Saturday’s win into a clash with North Hobart on May 25 that will see Heath Shaw feature in a one-off appearance for the club.
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