A SPOT in the grand final was up for grabs in the season’s penultimate game, a spot that Launceston took with both hands after making the most of the southerly breeze.
Accurate goalkicking was on display for both teams, but it was Launceston’s second term which saw them kick 8.1 to no score for Lauderdale which set up their match-winning lead. Despite 47 points separating the two teams, Lauderdale continued to push to the end, but they just could not maximise the win advantage like Launceston. The 23 points they trailed by at the final break was insurmountable as Launceston kicked away in the final term.
Jay Blackberry and Mitchell Thorp were among Launceston’s best with three goals each, while Dylan Riley, Jake Hinds, and Joe Groenewegen each kicked two goals. Ex-Brisbane Lion Josh McGuinness was among Lauderdale’s best, as Nick Baker toiled away all day in the back half.
We took a look at how the sole AFL Draft Combine invitee in the match, Jared Dakin performed.
Launceston
#20 Jared Dakin
His output was not what we have come to expect from the exciting youngster as he looked to take on more of a defensive role on Lauderdale gun McGuinness. He started in the midfield and made his way to most stoppages with McGuinness, often taking front position and holding it. He showed good core strength to maintain his balance after taking a front-on hit and keep scrapping away. As it did not look to be a hard tag, Dakin made his way around the ground and pooped up at either end to win his own ball. He looked clean and strong over the ball in greasy conditions and often got first hands on it at stoppages. Pressure on the inside, which is where he does a lot of his work, meant he could not always get clean hands out but there were still plenty of occasions where he did and followed up. When McGuinness went down back to start the second half, Dakin followed him and did not allow many easy touches. He competed aerially and again showed good strength through his hips and core to not get knocked down. Dakin showed glimpses of his abilities with his inside grunt work and ability to get dangerous on the outside, but if he was given the defensive role, he did it very well.
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