THERE has been plenty of attention coming the way of the Apple Isle at the elite senior and junior levels, with a bunch of Mariners starring in the Allies trial games, while Launceston is set to host another AFL fixture at the weekend.

Mariners cast eyes on Allies squad selection:

With 11 Tasmanian products lacing their boots for the Allies against both Victorian sides, there was plenty of buzz around town in the Apple Isle. Impressive performances from Fraser Turner (32 disposals, seven marks, five inside-50s), Mariners skipper Chayce Jones (22 disposals, two goals) and Ethan Jackson (23 disposals, four marks, six inside 50s) against Vic Country laid the groundworks for a solid day. Under 18 Academy Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner Tarryn Thomas put the cherry on top with his 25 disposals, 11 tackles and one goal, doing his top five chances on draft night no harm. Thomas’ performance was not quite enough to push his side over the line against Vic Metro, as they fell by 23 points. On the other hand, the second Allies squad managed to hold off Vic Country to record a 27-point victory.

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BUPA TSL Round 9:

Top two sides North Launceston and Launceston continued their winning ways, notching comfortable wins over the bottom two teams. Launceston bullied a young North Hobart side to record a 107-point win, with dangerous forward duo Sonny Whiting and Mitch Thorp booting 11 goals between them. Meanwhile at UTAS, Northern were made to work a little harder for their victory, but their three-goal to nil opening term set up a solid enough buffer for them to ease to their seventh win of the year. Thomas Bennett slotted three goals to be named in the best alongside Taylor Whitford, who bagged two of his own.

In the round’s other game, Lauderdale recorded an important win over Glenorchy to keep within striking distance of the fourth placed side. With five multiple goal kickers, the Bombers were able to overcome a seven-point half-time deficit to come out on top by 33 points.

Looking ahead, Clarence come off the bye to face North Hobart at Blundstone Arena, while Glenorchy will hope to hold onto their top four spot against ladder leaders North Launceston. Meanwhile, Lauderdale host Launceston and Tigers will have the week off.

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AFL heads to Tasmania:

Hawthorn will once again host an AFL fixture at their second home of UTAS Stadium in Launceston. The Hawks face Port Adelaide in a battle of ninth versus tenth, with Port sitting outside the top eight by percentage alone. Coming off three consecutive losses, the Hawks will be looking to rebound and use their home ground advantage in a fixture that will no doubt prove to be important in the finals race.