TSL Grand Final fallout: Coaches’ approach set to be investigated following heated contest

Launceston may have beaten the Tigers but a number of incidents from the TSL Grand Final are due to be investigated by competition management, including a coach confronting an opposition player at halftime. Watch the fiery moments from the game here.

THEY may have just claimed an elusive three-peat with Saturday’s TSL grand final win over the Kingborough Tigers but Launceston coach Mitch Thorp has already turned his attention to creating more history.

The 72-point win over the Tigers was the Blues third premiership on the trot – after defeating North Launceston in the 2020 and 2021 deciders – with the TSL powerhouse now joining their cross-town rivals as the only two sides in the competition’s history to win three flags in a row.

But mere minutes following the premiership win, Thorp was already eyeing off the chance to create more history.

“There’s never been four won in a row in any state league,” Thorp said.

TSL Grand Final 2022. Tigers V Launceston. Launceston win the 2022 TSL Grand Final Picture: Linda Higginson

“It took about three minutes after the game for that to be written on my hand and so that’s where my head is at already.”

The Launceston coach may however have more to worry about than the shot at a fourth premiership following an incident at the halftime break of the grand final.

With both sides entering adjoining change rooms, vision captured Thorp approaching Tigers forward Tyler Carter as they made their way into the rooms.

“She’s on in the grandstand,” a commentator said.

“Mitch Thorp had a go at the big fella in (Tyler) Carter,” another replied.

“You can’t do that. You can’t do that,” the other responded.

“Craig Notman, the football manager there also. So it’s happening on and off the ground. I’m thinking that maybe Mitchell Thorp might have seen what we saw,” the second caller added.

Carter was involved in a dust-up during the second-term with two Blues players in an incident that is sure to be looked at by the TSL match review office.

While it’s still unclear what occurred off-camera, the Tigers were clearly disappointed with Thorp’s actions with a now edited Facebook post shedding light on the incident.

“However unfortunately the half time break has been marred by some low-quality behaviour by a Launceston leader and it should be no surprise as to who it was that started that,” the post read.

The Mercury understands TSL management is aware of the incident and will investigate what exactly occurred between both parties but Thorp was coy post-game when asked what had occurred.

TSL Grand Final 2022. Tigers V Launceston Tom Wright, Tigers. Jack Tuthill, Launceston Picture: Linda Higginson

“I’m not sure what you are referring too,” Thorp said.

The Launceston coach is already on a 12-month good behaviour order following an off-field incident with North Hobart president Craig Martin earlier this season.

After an investigation was undertaken by TSL management, the Blues coach was handed a $1000 fine and a two match suspension.

The two match suspension was wholly-suspended on the condition Thorp did not further breach any policy in the National Community Football Policy Handbook for 12 months.

A melee at the three-quarter time break is also no doubt going to keep the TSL match review office busy this week.

Tyler Carter was in the thick of the action during the TSL Grand Final. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Almost every player on the field was involved with vision also capturing one of two Launceston runners appearing to place a hand on Carter.

Carter was exchanging words with Blues forward Jake Hinds with the Blues runner attempting to diffuse the situation by grabbing Hinds and placing a hand in the path of Carter with the Tigers forward clearly taking a step back from the apparent contact.