State League stars again lead from the front as Launceston rivals prepare for epic grand final clash

TSL grand final opponents Launceston and North Launceston have been the top two teams all season — and the premier data stats show, unsurprisingly, they dominate every key category.

• Blues power into first TSL grand final since 2012
• Lauderdale coach to discuss future with club soon

NORTH Launceston and Launceston proved to be the two best teams in the TSL this season — and the statistics back it up.

The Bombers and Blues will square off in a mouth watering grand final at UTAS Stadium on Saturday, with both sides stacked with individual match winners and proving throughout the course of the condensed 2020 campaign they were the best combined units.

The clubs finished one-two in nearly every major and key statistical category, including overall premier data points, contested possessions, contested marks, clearances, hit-outs, goals and effective tackles.

Individually, dual Alastair Lynch medallist Josh Ponting has confirmed his status as a bona fide star of the league, topping the player ranking points with 115.2 (minimum three games), ahead of Launceston midfield bull Jobi Harper (108.2).

North Launceston star Joshua Ponting is the highest ranking TSL player this season to have featured in at least three games, and again starred against Clarence in the semi-final. Picture: Patrick Gee

Bombers Alex Lee (sixth, 106) and Brad Cox-Goodyer (seventh, 102.1) also have a rating higher than 100, with playing coach Taylor Whitford (eighth 98.4) not far behind.

ALL THE SEMI FINAL STATS

• Launceston v Lauderdale

• North Launceston v Clarence

North’s stars led the way in driving the side into a seventh straight grand final appearance in the 78-point drubbing of Clarence, with Ponting and Cox-Goodyer collecting an equal game high 27 possessions, 18 clearances and 14 inside 50s, with Cox-Goodyer also kicking a goal.

Teammate Daniel Withers arguably outshone the duo however, finishing with 5.1 from 21 touches.

North Launceston's ruckman Alexander Lee has again been the dominant big man in the TSL in 2020. Picture: Patrick Gee

Across the river at Windsor Park, it was Jake Hinds who continued his late season form surge for Launceston.

Hinds, thriving with more midfield time in the past month, collected 22 disposals, had five clearances and seven inside 50s as well as kicking two goals to finish with 117 ranking points.

Jay Blackberry booted three goals from 17 disposals while also applying an equal team high five tackles, and of Harper’s 25 possessions, 19 were contested while adding seven clearances.

Jay Blackberry applies one of his equal team high five tackles on Lauderdale’s Sam Siggins in their TSL semi-final clash at Windsor Park. Picture: Patrick Gee

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