North Launceston grand final win third heartbreaker for Lauderdale

NORTH Launceston landed its fifth flag from six consecutive grand finals, and for the third year in a row ripped the heart out of Lauderdale’s premiership hopes.

Haydn Smith from Lauderdale and Dakota Bannister of North Launceston race for possession in the Tasmanian State League grand final. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

NORTH Launceston wrote another page into the TSL history books at Blundstone Arena by landing its fifth flag from six consecutive grand finals, and for the third year in a row ripped the heart out of Lauderdale’s premiership hopes.

After thrashing Lauderdale in the past two grand finals in Launceston, the Northern Bombers had to pull out all their tricks to stop their southern counterparts from finally getting their hands on the cup in their home town.

Most of the 4692 fans were screaming for Lauderdale, but North Launceston withstood every challenge the southern Bombers could throw at them.

And as brave as the beachside boys were, North Launceston was a class above, using its embarrassment of riches on the midfield, solid defensive structure and wealth of goal kickers to take the title 13.10 (88) to 9.5 (59).

North Launceston put the writing on the wall early, booting 4.3 to 1.2 in the opening term to lead by 19 points at the first change.

North’s captain Brad Cox-Goodyer kicked the opening goal and teammates Ben Simpson, Dakota Bannister and Jackson Callow followed to set up a handy break, while Lauderdale skipper Bryce Walsh was the game’s best ball-winner with nine disposals in the first quarter.

North Launceston kicked out to a 25-point lead five minutes into the second when Josh Ponting and Callow both kicked goals inside a minute.

Lauderdale kicked three of the next four through Robbie McManus, Alex Saunders and Alex Hills and cut the damage to 14 by half-time, when tempers exploded.

Having racked up 19 touches, Bryce Walsh got roughed up by the Northern Bombers after the half-time siren when Bannister took it to the next level.

He appeared to head-butt the Lauderdale skipper, was reported and copped yellow cards from two field umpires and was booed off the field for the main break.

Clarence player Maddy Smith front centre celebrates her team’s grand final win over Launceston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

North Launceston started the third with quick-fire goals from Tom Donnelly and defender Jay Foon to go ahead by 25.

Lauderdale replied with three of the next four, including a morale-booster after the three quarter-time siren by Henry Kerinaiua.

Ben McGuinness made it a nine-point ball game when he put Lauderdale closer than it has been mid-way through the opening term.

Four unanswered goals put the icing on the cake and it was party time for the lads from UTas Stadium.

Earlier today, in the DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE grand final, the Tigers quest for their first state league trophy ended in heartache.

Coming off 13 straight wins and leading by 13 points at the 10 minute mark of the last quarter of the grand final, the Tigers went into their shell and North Launceston kicked the last three goals of the game to win by a goal, 9.8 (62) to 8.8 (56).

Lachlan Cocker snapped truly to put the Northern Bombers in front with just over a minute to go.

And in the women’s TSLW grand final, Clarence pulled off the upset of the season against Launceston.

The Blues entered the grand final undefeated and led for the majority of the match but found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard when it mattered most.

The Roos played fearless football after finding themselves 19 points down at quarter time, running over the top of the minor premiers to register a 9.3 (57) to 8.6 (54) victory.