TSL final won’t be up North

THE RUN HOME

THE TSL grand final will be held at Blundstone Arena even if it is a North Launceston v Launceston decider, which is firming as finals loom.

With University of Tasmania Stadium unavailable because of resurfacing, there was some speculation an all northern grand final may be played at Windsor Park, but that has been put to bed.

TSL general manager Carl Saunder, TSL operations coordinator Wayne Povey and TSL operations manager Ben Ling inspected Launceston’s home ground Windsor Park yesterday and while it has been given the thumbs-up to be the home venue for both the Blues and the Northern Bombers for the first three weeks of finals, it has been deemed it is not appropriate to host the decider.

“The infrastructure at Windsor Park is not appropriate for the TSL grand final,” Saunder said.

“We don’t think it could handle six different teams across the course of the day.”

Lauderdale’s dip in form in recent weeks that has seen it go from two games clear on top to now second on percentage has put North Launceston in prime position to have a crack at a historic TSL “three-peat” of premierships.

But its best challenger might be cross-town rival Launceston, according to Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley, despite North Launceston having defeated the Blues on the past 18 occasions.

“Other than North Launceston they have beaten everyone else. North Launceston is their bogey team, but other than that they are just about the best team going around,” Webberley said after seeing his side thrashed by 65 points last 1. NORTH LAUNCESTON (52pts 185.19%): North Hobart (H), Glenorchy (A). 2. LAUDERDALE (52pts 131.59%): Glenorchy (A), bye. 3. GLENORCHY (44pts 106.29%): Lauderdale (H), North Launceston (H) 4. LAUNCESTON (40pts 123.86): Bye, Tigers (H) 5. TIGERS (24pts 85.58%): Clarence (H), Launceston (A) Saturday. “They strong 22.”

The Blues are fourth and have the bye this week, but should third-placed Glenorchy — which has the toughest fixture to end the season with games against the top two teams — slip up in both matches and Launceston wins its last game, it will jump into third spot in the final round.

Part of Launceston’s surge has been the form of midfielder Fletcher Seymour, who has taken the lead in the TSL player of the year award.

A former Roo, he was devastating in the win over Clarence and Webberley rated him up there with the best midfielders in the league alongside North Launceston’s holy trinity captain Brad Cox-Goodyer, playing coach Taylor Whitford and reigning Lynch medallist Josh Ponting.

“He could be the best midfielder in the comp, and in terms of contested ball, he probably nearly is,” he said. “Who’s better than him? “[Teammate] Jobi Harper is pretty good, but they are both on par at the minute.

“Cox-Goodyer can get it outside where he can use his left foot, Whitford is the same, Ponting is inside, but gee Fletcher is up there, if not the best. He’s had an outstanding year.” have got a