TSL Grand Final preview – teams, match-ups, coaches’ comments and predictions
The Tasmanian State League season will come to an end on Saturday with Kingborough and North Launceston set to face off in the 2023 grand final. Here is your ultimate preview.
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The Mercury reporters Ryan Rosendale (Kingborough) and Jon Tuxworth (North Launceston) run their eyes over both squads before Saturday’s TSL decider at North Hobart Oval. Here’s everything you need to know before the flag goes on the line.
TSL GRAND FINAL
KINGBOROUGH v NORTH LAUNCESTON
North Hobart Oval, 2.30pm
TEAMS
KINGBOROUGH
B: L. Gadomski, B. Donnelly, W. Clifford
HB: E. Reardon, M. Bastick, B. McCulloch
C: J. Webb, L. Clifford, N. Baker
HF: G. O’Neill, M. Collidge, W. Campbell
F: T. Carter, M. Gardner, J. Zeitzen
R: J. Tomkinson, K. Lovell, E. Cole
Int: A. Brereton, J. Williams, J. Brouwer, E. Golding
Emg: L. Sulzberger, M. Brereton, T. Bennett, L. Griggs
NORTH LAUNCESTON
B: D. Chugg, C. Young, F. Bennett
HB: L. Mitchell, O. Vandam, H. Bayles
C: H. Ollington, B. Simpson, N. Pearce
HF: W. Manshanden, J. Ahrne, M. Nicholas
F: H. Griffiths, T. Ives, B. Leary
R: A. Lee, J. Avent, B. Cox-Goodyer
Int: B. Sulzberger, E. Hubbard, O. Mansell, C. Leeflang
Emg: M. Roney, S. Simpson, J. Rickard, B. Mitchell
UMPIRES
Field – Tom McIntee, Nathan Geason, Brad Percey
Boundary – Brendan Cook, Brendon Green, Riley Lee-Heath, Curtis Read
Goal – Bryce Guy, Will Robertson
OTHER MATCHES
9am: STJFL U18 Boys – Clarence v North Hobart
11:30am: TSL Development League – North Hobart v North Launceston
TSL PREMIERSHIPS (SINCE 2009)
Kingborough 0, North Launceston 5 (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)
MATCH-UPS THIS SEASON
Played: 4 Kingborough: 3, North Launceston 1
Round 2 – KINGBOROUGH 3.4 5.6 11.6 14.11 (95) def NORTH LAUNCESTON 0.0 1.2 3.4 6.5 (41) at Twin Ovals – MATCH REPORT HERE
Best: Kingborough – Jack Tomkinson, James Webb, Nicholas Baker, Kieran Lovell, Will Clifford, Lochie Griggs; North Launceston – Ben Simpson, Jack Avent, Connor Leeflang, William Manshanden, Declen Chugg, Blade Sulzberger
Goals: Kingborough – Max Collidge 3, Lochie Griggs 2, Jack Tomkinson 2, William Campbell 2, James Green, George O’Neill, Marcus Gardner, Lachlan Clifford, Robert Zeeman; North Launceston – Brad Cox-Goodyer 2, Brandon Leary 2, Nathan Pearce, Harvey Griffiths
Round 8 – NORTH LAUNCESTON 2.1 5.2 10.3 12.4 (76) def KINGBOROUGH 1.4 2.6 7.10 10.12 (72) at UTAS Stadium – MATCH REPORT HERE
Best: North Launceston – Ben Simpson, Theo Ives, Mitchell Nicholas, Blade Sulzberger, Fletcher Bennett, Connor Leeflang; Kingborough – Murray Bastick, Jack Tomkinson, Lachlan Gadomski, James Zeitzen, Will Clifford, Max Collidge
Goals: North Launceston – Brad Cox-Goodyer 5, Nathan Pearce 3, Mitch Nicholas 2, Ben Simpson, Brandon Leary; Kingborough – Tyler Carter 3, Jack Tomkinson 3, Ambrose Brereton, James Zeitzen, Max Collidge, William Campbell
Round 19 – KINGBOROUGH 2.1 2.4 5.7 8.10 (58) def NORTH LAUNCESTON 2.4 2.8 3.10 7.11 (53) at UTAS Stadium – MATCH REPORT HERE
Best: Kingborough – Jack Tomkinson, George O’Neill, Ben Donnelly, Lachlan Clifford, Lachlan Gadomski, James Webb; North Launceston – Jack Avent, Declen Chugg, Ben Simpson, Fletcher Bennett, Connor Young, Blade Sulzberger
Goals: Kingborough – Tyler Carter 2, Jack Tomkinson 2, Marcus Gardner 2, Max Collidge, George O’Neill; North Launceston – Oliver Dean 2, Brad Cox-Goodyer 2, Harvey Griffiths, Declen Chugg, Oscar Mansell
Qualifying final – KINGBOROUGH 2.3 2.5 10.8 10.11 (71) def NORTH LAUNCESTON 1.2 3.3 3.3 5.5 (35) at Twin Ovals – MATCH REPORT HERE
Best: Kingborough – Lachlan Clifford, Jack Tomkinson, Edward Cole, Will Clifford, James Zeitzen, Tyler Carter; North Launceston – Jack Avent, Fletcher Bennett, Declen Chugg, Lockie Mitchell, Connor Young, Blade Sulzberger
Goals: Kingborough – Tyler Carter 3, James Zeitzen 3, Jake Williams 2, Edward Cole, Max Collidge; North Launceston – Brad Cox-Goodyer 2, Theo Ives Harvey Griffiths, Sam Simpson
KEY PLAYERS
NORTH LAUNCESTON
Alex Lee – The influence of the gun ruckman and Bombers co-captain will be critical as he comes up against the Tigers’ dynamic tag team duo of Jack Tomkinson and Marcus Gardner. Aside from a chopout from youngster Theo Ives, the 28-year-old will be battling them for the majority and if he can give Bombers midfielders the advantage at clearances, they’ll fancy their chances.
Oscar van Dam – The 18-year-old is tall, strong, possesses speed and is a beautiful user of the ball. His availability after the Devils lost last week’s Coates Talent League preliminary final is an enormous boost for the Bombers, who need key defenders to try and curtail the Tigers’ tall forwards. The teenager hasn’t played Kingborough yet this season, and could be the ace in the Bombers’ sleeve.
Jack Avent – Coach Brad Cox-Goodyer dubbed him a ‘warrior’ and ‘the most underrated player in the TSL, probably ever’ after his herculean display in last week’s preliminary final against Clarence. He finished with 23 touches (16 contested), nine clearances, six inside 50s and five score involvements. He was awarded TSL life membership this week after he played his 200th game in round one, and would love to cap off a big week with a sixth senior flag with the Bombers. Fellow experienced midfielder Ben Simpson will be heavily tagged again, which can open the door for Avent to have an impact.
KINGBOROUGH
Lachie Clifford – The Kingborough skipper has put together a career best season and was named captain in the TSL Team of the Year. You combine that with his finals performances last season and his best-on-ground display two weeks’ ago and it’s clear Clifford is a captain built for the big stage. Expect the 23 year-old to make his mark early on the contest at the stoppage alongside fellow midfielders Kieran Lovell, Eddie Cole and James Webb. North Launceston would be smart to put some work into Clifford given his impact across the season but he is type of player that would thrive with some extra attention.
Jack Tomkinson – After missing the 2022 grand final through injury, Tomkinson is primed and ready to make a big impact on Saturday. The ruckman/forward played the qualifying final with a real intensity, getting in the face of a number of Bombers players, so you can expect him to bring his physciallty early to the contest. Will spend time in both positions alongside Marcus Gardner and if he can impact the scoreboard when forward, it will go along way in the Tigers securing a win.
Ben Donnelly – The best fullback in the competition, the Tigers vice-captain’s ability to set his side up in the back-half will be something the Bombers have to be concerned about. You only have to look back to the two sides’ clash back in round 19 where Donnelly finished with 18 disposals and seven intercept marks as proof of that. Will likely get the matchup on Bombers young forward Theo Ives with his experience set to be key in that match-up. Don’t be surprised if North Launceston defender Connor Young gets sent to Donnelly in a defensive forward role at stages similar to what they did last week with Clarence’s Baker Smith late in the contest.
WHY BOMBERS CAN WIN
There’s no doubt North Launceston would prefer to be playing on the wide expanses of UTAS Stadium, where they can utilise their speed to its full effect. Their only win against the Tigers came there in a four-point win in round eight. However, they’ll be more comfortable playing at North Hobart Oval than Twin Ovals, as they should be able to use their rebound game a little more effectively. The addition of Devils players Oscar van Dam and Heath Ollington is massive, as they fill roles the Bombers desperately need to match up with the Tigers. Van Dam provides a valuable key defender option for the Tigers’ dangerous tall forwards, while inside midfielder Ollington will take pressure off experienced heads Jack Avent and Ben Simpson against Kingborough’s big-bodied midfield. Aside from one poor quarter in the qualifying final, where they conceded eight unanswered goals in the third quarter, the Bombers have held their own against Kingborough and would have learned plenty from griding out a tough preliminary final over Clarence.
WHY TIGERS CAN WIN
Quite simply, they’ve been the best team all season. Started the year atop the ladder and remained there until the final home and away game of the year. The way this new look group has rebounded from last year’s 72-point loss to Launceston in the grand final has to be commended. The addition of James Webb has brought a fresh dynamic into the midfield while skipper Lachie Clifford has put together a career best year. They have the best key defender in the competition in Ben Donelly while their ruck tandem of Jack Tomkinson and Marcus Gardner will look to work Bombers veteran Alex Lee over across the contest. Despite losing forwards Jordan Lane and Luke Graham in the off-season, mainstay Tyler Carter along with fresh faces James Zeitzen and Jake Williams have been terrific all year while Will Campbell has also proven his ability to hit the scoreboard in 2023. They’ve beaten North Launceston on three occasions this year with their eight goal third quarter burst in the qualifying final evidence they have the ability to flick the switch. After losing last year’s decider, Saturday shapes as a golden opportunity for redemption.
FROM THE COACHES
Brad Cox-Goodyer (North Launceston) – “Kingborough has earned hosting rights but we’ll play a grand final anywhere. It’s no secret they’re a contested footy side, they base their game around clearance and don’t mess about getting it into their tall forwards. We know we can compete with them, but it’s going to be tight and contested. Whether they think they’re better than us or not, we know we can compete on the inside. We’ve got guys who have been there and done it in grand finals.”
Trent Baumeler (Kingborough) – “What our group does really well is just play their roles and that’s the beauty of our group but North Launceston have got some great experience. I can’t count how many multiple premiership players they have out there. Brad (Cox-Goodyer), Alex (Lee), Ben (Simpson), Jack Avent and Connor Young so they have a lot of big game experience in their line up and across every line.When you look at the body of work across the whole season, both teams finished 13-5 within 2 percentage points of each other so I think it’s a totally even contest which will be really good.”
PREDICTIONS
Jon Tuxworth
North Launceston by five points
Baldock Medal – Alex Lee
Ryan Rosendale
Kingborough by 11 points
Baldock Medal – Lachie Clifford
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