Thorp just one strike away from longest ban
LAUNCESTON bad boy Cody Thorp is on the brink of being deregistered as a football player and will live on the edge when he continues playing with the Blues next season.
Thorp will miss the Blues’ clash with North Launceston in the TSL grand final on Sunday after he was suspended for two matches for striking Clarence player Lachlan Borsboom in the preliminary final at Windsor Park last Sunday.
In an incident after the quarter-time siren, Thorp made contact with Borsboom’s head.
He was charged under rough conduct as “intentional conduct, with low impact and high contact”.
Launceston coach Mitch Thorp said his younger brother had taken responsibility for his actions and was hurting, having to watch his teammates from the sidelines.
“It was graded as low, and that’s in line with my thoughts. It was a low-level incident and he’s been given two weeks which is disappointing, but more than anything for himself,” Mitch said.
Cody has a career-total of 15 suspensions, with 16 the limit before a player is deregistered.
“He’s absolutely going to play next season and that’s something he needs to work his way through,” Mitch said.
“Footy has been really great for him. He’s come from a long way back, so we’re glad he’s playing again next year.”
Cody kicked a game-high three goals in Launceston’s preliminary final win.
“He made Team of the Year and he played really well last week,” Mitch said.
“He’s an important player to our team, but we’re fortunate to have our Development League team in the grand final and there’s a number of guys in there pretty hungry to play in a senior grand final.”
james.bresnehan@news.com.au