NTFA: Dogs make statement in top-of-table clash

Unbeaten South Launceston overcame a sluggish start to topple Bridgenorth in Saturday’s top-of-the-table NTFA clash, and set up what looks an unassailable minor premiership lead.

Bridgenorth's Campbell Atkins gets a kick away. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

South Launceston coach Jack Maher says the luxury of resting players with niggles could be crucial leading into finals after the unbeaten Bulldogs virtually sealed the minor premiership with a 13.6 (84) to 9.10 (64) win at Bridgenorth on Saturday.

The second-placed Parrots looked ready to be the first side to topple the Dogs in the first quarter, but didn’t convert their early dominance after leading 2.5 (17) to 1.1 (7) at quarter time.

From there the visitors got the upper hand and were able to put Bridgenorth’s defence under heavy pressure with quick entries inside 50.

Matthew Lee kicked four goals and Sam Lucas three for the victors (10-0). They now enjoy a three-game buffer atop the ladder, although second-placed Longford has a game in hand.

Asked what turned the game around after quarter time, Maher said: We just started getting our hands on it at the clearance.

“They were winning the territory battle early on but as soon as Cody (Lowe) started getting his hands on the ball in the ruck, our mids went to work.

“We simplified it, we just wanted to get the ball inside their 50 and put their backs under pressure. Once we did that we were able to get on a roll.

“We came out flat, there’s no denying that, and Bridgenorth were fired up and got the jump on us. But they didn’t capitalise on their opportunities in that first quarter.

“There is personnel to come in and guys playing good footy in reserves and 18s, so that buffer (on the ladder) does give us the chance to get everyone right with the odd week off.”

South Launceston coach Jack Maher addresses his team after Saturday's win at Bridgenorth. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Bridgenorth coach Oliver Cook was disappointed with the result after the Parrots (7-3) entered the clash on a four-game winning streak.

“They played better pound for pound footy and it’s the first time our defence has really been challenged and beaten,” Cook said.

“That’s been our strength and credit to them, they played well.

“We need to go to work and make sure we’re doing everything we can, because that’s what you need to win the comp.

“We had the same number of scoring shots and inside 50s would have been similar, but they were far more efficient in the way they transitioned the ball and got their chances in much better spots to convert.”

Bridgenorth has now dropped to fourth on percentage after Longford and Rocherlea both recorded big wins against low-ranked opposition.

Dartaynan Bantick booted six goals in Rocherlea’s 55-point win over George Town, while Longford dominated Scottsdale by 85 points.

Hillwood all but sealed a finals spot with a 49-point win over sixth-placed Bracknell, with Archie Wilkinson kicking five goals.

NTFA PREMIER ROUND 11

ROCHERLEA 4.1 9.4 14.8 21.10 (136) def GEORGE TOWN 5.1 8.1 12.1 13.3 (81)

Best: Rocherlea - Dartaynan Bantick, Josh Ponting, Brayden Pitcher, Jordan Cousens, Dakota Bannister, Mitchell McCarroll; George Town - Coby Chugg, Chev Deacon, Fergus Kenny, Zach Burt, Tallis Trudgeon, Brady Gee

Goals: Rocherlea - Dartaynan Bantick 6, Kaidanm Baker 3, Dakota Bannister 3, Josh Holton 2, Zane Brown 2, Josh Ponting, Lachlan Holton, Jacob Hawkins, Scott Reitsema, Samuel Suter; George Town - Chev Deacon 4, Brady Gee 2, Zach Burt 2, Fergus Kenny, Allan O’Sign, Jobi Wllis, Alex Tubb, Jay Foon

HILLWOOD 6.0 20.2 13.9 15.17 (107) def BRACKNELL 2.3 4.7 5.9 8.10 (58)

Best: Hillwood - Nash Digney, Isaac Thompson, Alex Blackaby, Mitchell Donnelly, Jake George, Sam Hoffman; Bracknell - Jake Williams, Brodie Wiggins, Connor Wiggins, Sam Borlini, Will Fisher, Oli Gibson

Goals: Hillwood - Archie Wilkinson 5, Isaac Thompson 2, Mitchell Donnelly 2, Mackenzie Blazely 2, Ryan Choveaux 2, Jake George, Thomas Bennett; Bracknell - Nash Cassidy, Jake Williams, Cooper Warren, Joshua Woolley, Nick Jones

LONGFORD 1.4 7.5 10.10 15.14 (104) def SCOTTSDALE 1.0 1.0 1.0 3.1 (19)

Best: Longford - Ethan Hubbard, Tom Gatenby, Connor Riethoff, Hamish Sytsma, Dylan Headland, Liam Davies; Scottsdale - Jacob Singline, Warrick Hall, Bradley Whish-Wilson, Isaiah Burr, Joseph Krushka, Bradley Milne

Goals: Longford - Lachlan Dakin 3, Jett Maloney 3, Luke Murfitt-Cowen 2, Oliver Chugg 2, William Dakin, Hamish Sytsma, Daniel Berry, Liam Davies, Dylan Headland; Scottsdale - George Davies, Will Monson, Sam Tomkinson

SOUTH LAUNCESTON 1.1 6.3 9.5 13.6 (84) def BRIDGENORTH 2.5 4.5 5.7 9.10 (64)

Best: South Launceston - Brendan Taylor, Jordan Tepper, Harry Charlesworth, Matthew Lee, Sam Lucas, Bowen Pearce; Bridgenorth - Dylan Farquhar, Casey Walker-Russell, Matthew Zanetto, Jayden Hinds, Jake Rice, Jacob Gilpin

Goals South Launceston - Matthew Lee 4, Sam Lucas 3, Harry Summers 2, Bradley Dodds, Hunter Farrelly, Tom Foon, Leigh Harding; Bridgenorth - Jake Rice 3, Oliver Wood 2, Daniel Jordan, Jayden Hinds, Jordan Shipp, Jesse Price