Clarence stuns Launceston Blues in biggest TSLW game of the year

Maddison Smith was judged best afield for her four goal effort as Clarence trumped Launceston in the TSLW grand final today at Blundstone Arena.

Rachel Archer hugging team mate Melanie Wise after Clarence won the TSLW grand final. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

CLARENCE threw down the gauntlet leading into the TSLW decider and then backed up words with actions to pull 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.

Unfazed by the task facing them all week, 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.

Clarence kicked the only two goals of the last quarter, the second from Jessie Williams which put her side in front halfway through the terms when she showed nerves of steel to calmly slot a set shot from 30m out.

Clarence celebrations. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The Roos then battened down the hatches to hold firm until the final siren sounded.

Maddison Smith was judged best afield for her four goal effort _ including a brilliant snap in the third stanza from the boundary _ while captain Grace Mitchell booted two.

“We really went in as underdogs and we came out winners… it is a little bit surreal at the moment, I am super proud,” Mitchell said.

“That’s something we have really worked on, our four quarter efforts and after starting off a little shaky and building from there, it worked for us today.

“Credit to Launceston, they have been the best team all season and we just had that grunt and got over the line in the end.