Hobart City and Lindisfarne to clash at North Hobart Oval for shot at inaugural SFLW premiership

THE lure of getting to play on the home of football in Tasmania is just as strong for the SFL’s female players as it is the men.

Hobart City Demons skipper Billie Keep, left, and Lindisfarne playing coach Jodie Mather are expecting a hard-fought encounter at North Hobart. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE lure of getting to play on the home of football in Tasmania is just as strong for the SFL’s female players as it is the men.

Hobart City Demons and Lindisfarne will slug it out on Saturday morning in the SFLW preliminary final, with the victor to meet South East in the inaugural grand final next weekend.

The Blues fell four points short against the Suns last Saturday and playing coach Jodie Mather is determined to earn another tilt by accounting for the Demons on their hallowed home turf.

“We had a close loss last week against South East – four points is a bit heartbreaking,” said Mather, who was co-captain in Clarence’s TSLW premiership win in 2015.

“We have set our goals on playing in a grand final and that’s what we are playing for.

“Four points is so close yet so far and I think that lights a bit of a fire and makes us determined to come out and get a win so we get another crack at South East next week.

“I have 13 girls who have never played footy before, but they still understand the enormity of playing at North Hobart Oval, which is the home of footy.

“It is definitely not lost on the group.”

The Demons and Blues split their head to head matches 1-1 during the season, with Hobart City skipper Billie Keep expecting another tight affair.

“We always do when we go up against Lindisfarne ... we play a similar type of game, we are going out knowing it will be a tough, hard contest,” she said.

“I guess being North Hobart Oval it is technically our home ground and the girls have been itching since the beginning of the season to get our feet on there.”