Now the cup’s up for grabs

It’s been 86 games over 175 days…

JUST one more game to go in the 2017 TSL season, which began on March 31 ... and Lauderdale bruiser Bryce Walsh (left) will probably be the first to put his body on the line as the southern Bombers take on North Launceston tomorrow. Walsh got his hands on the premiership cup yesterday.

ON-BALLERS pride themselves on their commitment to the contest.

And when it comes to putting his body on the line, few players outdo Lauderdale bruiser Bryce Walsh.

In two of Lauderdale’s three finals, no player has been hit harder than 23-year-old Walsh.

He was banged up by Clarence in the qualifying final, and Launceston paid him the same attention in the preliminary final last week.

In between those games, North Launceston took Lauderdale apart in the second semi-final. Walsh and his midfield colleagues are still kicking themselves at their performance that day.

The Bombers want to set the record straight.

“In the second semi that’s where we got crucified, through the middle,” Walsh said.

“My midfield group — and there’s a few leaders — we need to get back on top. That’s where we see a lot of drive, through our team winning the inside ball and getting it go forward. That is a key part in our game.”

No complaints from Walsh about the heavy hitting.

“That’s the game style I like to play, get in their face. That’s what gets me up and about,” he said.

“Winning the inside ball, that’s my role in the team, so I’ve got to put my body on the line to get the result for the boys.”

Walsh is one cog in a vital onball machine.

“There’s a plethora of guys in there playing good footy,” he said.

“Dylan Fyfe has had an outstanding season, Nat Franklin will be up there to win our bestand-fairest, Thor Boscott and Phil Bellchambers — there are a number of good players in there.”

Walsh played in Lauderdale’s under-12, under-13 and under-14 premierships. He would like to follow in the footsteps of his father Brendan (Hobart, 1990) and play in a senior premiership.