TSL: North Launceston and Launceston open 2022 season with victories

It was all about the Alex Lee and Michael Stingel combination through the centre during the first term as the Bombers pillaged the ball away from the clearance and whisked it into the attack to open up a 28-point lead at quarter-time.

"I've put Michael in there for a reason because he's got genuine leg-speed, he takes the game on and that's what we need around stoppages and he was able to do that," Bombers coach Brad Cox-Goodyer said.

"When you've got a ruckman like Alex Lee putting it down your throat, you're going to watch some exciting footy."

READ MORE: North Launceston's season preview 2022

The home side overwhelmed the Magpies with their superiority at stoppage and the rebound off half-back led by Lachlan Cowan and Corey Nankervis throughout the game.

Vice-captain Thomas Bennett (three goals) was a key focal point in the attack, debutant Will Harper and Hunter Farrelly were lively foils as the ball seemed to live in the Bombers' forward-50 for the second term.

"I think all the debutants are really good, Will Harper as our full-forward kicked three goals, Hunter Farrelly has just turned 16, kicked three goals and probably could have had more," Cox-Goodyer said.

"Lachie Cowan, Dom Hay and Heath Ollington all fit in really well so I am really happy."

The Magpies' captain Matt Joseph toiled all day across the ground while Blake Waight showed poise in defence but it was not enough to stop a Bombers' onslaught which included Cox-Goodyer bombing a goal from beyond 50 metres and Nankervis notching a rare major.

Nathan Pearce was forced off by an ankle injury but the Bombers are confident he will be available for selection.

Launceston Football Club proved there will be no malaise in their premiership defence as they comfortably accounted for North Hobart 20.19 (139) to 5.7 (37) at Windsor Park.

The reigning premiers built their opening-round success off the back of an emphatic first-half which included an eight-goal second term to instill a 13-goal match-winning lead at half-time.

"I was really pleased with the first-half, we moved the ball particularly well and had a lot of scoring shots and a pretty large lead at half-time," coach Mitch Thorp said.

"The boys played a brand that we've sort of been known for over the last four years."

The lead arguably could have been larger after a wayward first term with six behinds before Launceston's first goal but the Blues' star power of Jake Hinds, Jay Blackberry and new recruit Jackson Thurlow showcased their wares.

READ MORE: Launceston's season preview for 2022

The trifecta combined for 10 of Launceston's goals while Jobi Harper was the other multiple goal-kicker for the home side.

"It was a pretty even contribution across the board, everyone played their role and executed for the most part, our midfielders got on top and gave our forwards enough looks. We spread the goal-kickers so we weren't reliant on any one individual," Thorp added.

Their dominance, which extended across the ground but was most noticeable in the centre, should have been further extended but the Blues managed a solitary goal and seven behinds despite controlling the majority of the play.

The Demons enjoyed their best period of the game from the Blues' quarter of waywardness with two goals in the term. Ryan Edmonson had four on the day for the visitors to be one of their bright spots.

The Blues escaped the game without injury heading into round two.

When it mattered Kingborough showed their teeth to secure a strong win over Lauderdale 15.11 (101) to 10.7 (67) despite it being poised on a knife's edge at times.

The Tigers are tipped as one of the competition's premiership aspirants after a busy off-season which saw Kieran Lovell return to the club. He grabbed Kingborough's opening goal but Lauderdale took a 17-point lead at quarter-time.

Kingborough had work to do and they set about clawing back the lead with six goals to two in the second term to be nine points ahead at the main break.

Jack Tomkinson put on a clinic with three goals in the quarter while George O'Neill, Marcus Gardner and Tyler Carter added to the Tigers' second-term rampage.

READ MORE: Devils gallant in defeat but miss out on finals

Lauderdale had an improved third term to keep in touch with the Tigers and the home side carried a three-point lead at three-quarter time but it was far from done.

The Tigers played the game on their terms in the final quarter as they went to work in the contest to ensure the momentum went their way and kept the home side goalless to secure an opening day win.

Connor Salter and Luke Graham joined Tomkinson and Carter as the Tigers' multiple goal-kickers in an eight-goal to four second-half and Josh McGuinness finished with two goals for Lauderdale.

The Tigers will look to continue their unbeaten start against Clarence next week. Lauderdale will welcome North Launceston.

Clarence had the bye for round one.

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