Star ruckman Haydn Smith cops serious injury after Lauderdale score upset win at KGV

Lauderdale has locked away another TSL finals appearance but has paid a hefty price for its scrappy victory against Glenorchy.

TSL: Glenorchy vs. Lauderdale, KGV: Lauderdale's Bryce Walsh takes a shot for goal. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

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LAUDERDALE has locked away another TSL finals appearance but has paid a hefty price for its scrappy victory against Glenorchy.

The Bombers secured a rare KGV win under lights in greasy conditions but the 10.13 (73) to 2.8.20 result was soured by a serious injury to star ruckman Haydn Smith.

Smith dislocated his ankle and was stretchered from the ground early in the second quarter after landing heavily in the centre square following a ruck contest.

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TSL: Glenorchy vs. Lauderdale, KGV: Lauderdale's Josh McGuinness takes a strong overhead mark. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Wingman Robbie McManus (shoulder/AC joint) also failed to appear after halftime from a big clash with teammate Nicholas Baker in the second term.

The pair were both taken to hospital post match.

While the victory guarantees another shot at redemption from losing the past three grand finals – and most likely a semi-final showdown against Launceston – the loss of Smith for the remaining month of the season is a major blow to Lauderdale’s premiership tilt.

TSL: Glenorchy vs. Lauderdale, KGV: Lauderdale's Toutai Havea grabs the ball. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“It is always flat when one of your teammates goes down and it was certainly a flat moment, we had to get the boys focused on the game,” coach Darren Winter said.

“That’s really unsettling, to lose someone so close to finals is disappointing.”

The Bombers jumped the hosts by kicking the first four goals in what proved to be a match defining start.

TSL: Glenorchy vs. Lauderdale, KGV: Glenorchy's John Geard with the ball. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Two of those came via Toutai Havea, with the rugby convert having a hand in another when a pass off the side of boot landed in the arms of the reliable Josh McGuinness 30m out on a slight angle.

TSL: Glenorchy vs. Lauderdale, KGV: Lauderdale's Toutai Havea wins a free kick and goes on to kick a goal in the first quarter. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Zac Webster, who will come under close scrutiny from the match review panel for a hit on Bryce Walsh, got the Pies on the board after the quarter time siren when he threaded the needle from the 35m on the boundary, but Glenorchy was unable to capitalise early in the second stanza when it had the run of play.

TSL: Glenorchy vs. Lauderdale, KGV: Glenorchy's John Geard about to be tackled by Lauderdale's Rhys Sutton. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mitch Rainbird and Callen Daly both missed gettable opportunities, with John Geard’s major courtesy of a Bomber turnover the only reward.

Neither side was able to make any headway in the first 15 minutes after the long break until two goals in a minute through Walsh and Havea broke the shackles and the visitors put the foot down in the last quarter to add some valuable percentage.

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