Round by round reveal of Alastair Lynch Medal votes highlights difficult task umpires face

Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley has called for TSL umpires to have access to more match data before giving votes – admitting he struggles to name best players as a playing-coach.

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STATE League coaches have called for extra support to the league’s umpires to assist with match day votes – and ultimately the outcome of the premier individual award.

The introduction of player statistics for the competition in 2020 has added another layer of professionalism, but also increased scrutiny on everyone involved in the game.

This has arguably unveiled the difficult task facing the whistle blowers by the Mercury’s exclusive day by day reveal of voting for the Alastair Lynch Medal.

There has already been some big discrepancies in the first three rounds of votes. In round one Launceston ruckman Hamish Leedham was judged best afield by the umpires, despite being overlooked in his side’s best players, being dropped the following week and not playing another senior match.

North Launceston premiership player Josh Ponting won the TSL's Alastair Lynch Medal for the second year in a row in 2019. PHOTO LINDA HIGGINSON

In round two the Blues defeated North Launceston with Michael Musicka awarded three votes from only 12 possessions at 41 per cent efficiency, with teammate Fletcher Seymour overlooked entirely after gathering a match high 27 to go with five tackles and five clearances.

A monster game from Lynch Medal favourite Jobi Harper in round three against the Tigers (36 disposals (23 contested) 11 clearances and a goal) only netted two votes from the umpires, while in the same round North Hobart duo Jake Steele and Jeff Fisher caught the umpires’ attention despite both not making the Demons best in the upset win over Lauderdale.

“They need support, I know with the Brownlow Medal the umpires get the stats after the game, we probably don’t have the resource to do that in the TSL,” Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley said.

“This year we have had stats on a Saturday night so maybe they should receive those Sunday and vote after.

Launceston’s Jobi Harper, who is one of the favourites for the Lynch Medal, was not judged best afield against the Tigers in round three despite a monster performance. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

“I’m a playing coach and I couldn’t tell you who the best player on the ground was.

“I couldn’t fathom how the umpires would know who the best player is on the ground when they are umpiring, I can’t do it as a coach.”

Launceston coach Mitch Thorp admitted he was surprised at seeing who received the round two votes after his side defeated their cross town rivals for the first time in eight years.

“You do scratch your head a little bit sometimes when votes are given and you know as a coach what’s actually transpired in the game.

“It is interesting that North Launnie game in particular with Michael, he did play well, but he did only have 12 disposals and I wouldn’t have thought it was a three vote game.

“The thing with the umpires doing it is it can be a little bit challenging at times.”

Lauderdale ruckman Haydn Smith (left) is the early front runner in the 2020 Alastair Lynch Medal count. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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