North Launceston premiership coach Taylor Whitford got himself and the Northern Bombers off to a successful start, claiming three votes in the State League player of the year competition.
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Kicking six goals in North's 53-point win over the Tigers at Kingston's Twin Ovals, Whitford said the seven-goal first quarter was the catalyst for the victory.
"Something that we haven't really done well over the last three or four years is start well, so to kick away to lead by 30 points at quarter time, it's a long way back from there," he said.
"Kingsborough kicked three or four, we kicked three or four and it was a bit of an arm wrestle, then the first quarter was the gap from there."
Whitford was joined in the votes by premiership captain Brad Cox-Goodyer and young Tiger Lochie Griggs, with Alex Lee, Karlton Wadley and Jack Rushton also impressing their coach.
Young Launceston defender Jack Tuthill played an effective role in defence to claim a vote on debut.
Laying several key tackles, Tuthill was adjudged Launceston's best player on the ground with Glenorchy's Aiden Grace and Cameron Duffy claiming higher honours in the Mapgies' 29-point win.
Injured co-captain Jay Blackberry sang the praises of Tuthill after the loss.
"Jack was reliable and read the game well all day. He probably saved us a couple of times and it could have been three or four more goals if he wasn't there," Blackberry said.
"I think he was a clear best from our view. Someone like him, you wouldn't know has only played one game of senior football."
Returning to Tasmania after a season in Geelong's VFL team, Grace's debut ended with the forward picking up four goals.
Former Adelaide key defender Sam Siggins stamped his return to the State League with an emphatic performance for Lauderdale against North Hobart.
After playing in Geelong's VFL team last season, the former Clarence star returned to Tasmania successfully in a best-on-ground performance for the Southern Bombers.
Teammate Jacob Gilbee claimed second honours at North Hobart Oval with a six-goal haul with North Hobart forward Thomas Reeves rounding out the vote-getters with two goals.
Launceston's Harvey Griffiths and Jack Donnellan have received MRP results following incidents. Griffiths accepted a one match ban for striking and Donnellan accepted a reprimand for forceful front-on contact.
Round 1 votes
North Hobart v Lauderdale
3 Sam Siggins (Lauderdale)
2 Jacob Gillbee (Lauderdale)
1 Thomas Reeves (North Hobart)
Launceston v Glenorchy
3 Aiden Grace (Glenorchy)
2 Cameron Duffy (Glenorchy)
1 Jack Tuthill (Launceston)
Tigers v North Launceston
3 Taylor Whitford (North Launceston)
2 Brad Cox-Goodyer (North)
1 Lochie Griggs (Tigers)
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
