NTFA: Grand final-bound Dogs make statement in wet and wild win
South Launceston will feature in all three men’s grades in the NTFA premier division grand finals after their seniors overcome awful conditions to beat Longford on Saturday. And it was a opportunist veteran who showed his class in the wet.
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South Launceston could be the best fast track team in the league, but the horrendous conditions didn’t stop them making a statement by booking a grand final berth with victory over Longford on Saturday.
In heavy rain and strong winds at Youngtown Oval, the minor premiers made a mockery of thoughts they might be as sluggish as the weather after a week off. They inflicted all their damage in the first one-and-a-half quarters in the 9.16 (70) to 6.1 (37) win.
It capped a memorable day for the Bulldogs, with their reserves and under-18 sides also becoming the first teams to qualify for their respective grand finals.
The hosts booted the only three goals of the first quarter kicking to the trickiest end, when the conditions were at their best. Back-to-back classy snaps from Leigh Harding in the space of two minutes midway through the second term effectively put the game to bed.
Up by 29 points at half-time, the Bulldogs were never troubled as heavey rain arrived for the back end of the game.
Bulldogs skipper Jay Blackberry was outstanding, particularly early, in just his second senior game of the year, while ruck Cody Lowe showed why he’s the best big man in the league.
Harding kicked three goals and actually contemplated retirement before this season, but the veteran small forward’s finishing skills stood out in the awful conditions.
“It was really pleasing to put the icing on the cake for the guys down the field. We’ve been pretty big in our forward seven this year that it doesn’t matter who kicks the goals,” Harding said.
“I’m pleased to be able to contribute as an old fella running around, that’s for sure.
“It (three teams in grand finals) is brilliant for the club, it’s awesome to get one team in to a grand final but to get three in is a great club feel. You get 90 blokes on the track and we can’t wait.”
Bulldogs coach Jack Maher said having another week off with more bad weather forecast will be crucial before the decider.
Longford will take on the winner of Sunday’s Rocherlea-Hillwood clash in next week’s preliminary final.
“Today we came out really sharp after a week off, but that’s the maturity of the group,” Maher said.
“I had no issues that we were going to come out flat or anything like that today.
“He (Harding) was tossing up retirement so we’re glad we got him back on deck.
“It (three grand finals) is a massive achievement for the club, but there’s three more wins we’re chasing.”
Bridgenorth are the first team into the premier division women’s grand final after accounting for Old Launcestonians in a goalless clash at Youngtown Oval, 0.5 (5) to 0.2 (2).
Deloraine earned a chance to defend their women’s division one flag with a 15-point preliminary final win over Hillwood.
The Kangaroos take on Meander Valley in a re-match of last year’s grand final next week.
SATURDAY’S NTFA FINALS RESULTS
PREMIER DIVISION
Women’s second semi final
Bridgenorth 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.5 (5) def Old Launcestonians 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 (2)
Best: Bridgenorth - Lucy Cooper, Emily Mckinnell, Taja Richardson, Emma Woods, Hallie Meaburn, Maddy Whitney; Old Launcestonians - Amber Murphy, Ashlea Mawer, Anastasia Hovington, Jessica Jamieson, Madeleine Fry, Danielle Kelly
Men’s reserves second semi final
South Launceston 2.1 3.5 4.6 6.10 (46) def Bridgenorth 2.1 4.1 4.3 5.4 (34)
Best: South Launceston - Will Harper, Caleb Nason, Kurt Hibbs, Sam Mayne, Connor Smith, William Fox; Bridgenorth - Jayden Blackwell, Jarrod Morley, Tom Cooper, Mason Boyd, Oliver Ketchell, Sam Manix-Geeves
Goals: South Launceston - Williams Fox 3, Jake Elmer 2, Will Harper; Bridgenorth - Sam Manix-Geeves 2, Jordon Partridge, Thomas Tierney, Eli O’Sign
Men’s seniors second semi final
South Launceston 3.1 6.5 8.9 9.16 (70) def Longford 0.0 2.0 5.1 6.1 (37)
Best: South Launceston - Jordan Tepper, Cody Lowe, Leigh Harding, Brendan Taylor, Jay Blackberry, Bradley Dodds; Longford - Zachary Morris, Connor Alexander, Casey Brown, Hamish Sytsma, Kacey Curtis, Joshua Gray
Goals: South Launceston - Leigh Harding 3, Jay Blackberry 2, Tom Foon 2, Matthew Lee, Bradley Dodds; Longford - Luke Murfitt-Cowen 2, Oliver Chugg, Mitchell Bennett, Zachary Morris, Kacey Curtis
DIVISION ONE
Women’s preliminary final
Deloraine 0.0 1.0 3.1 4.5 (29) def Hillwood 0.0 0.0 2.1 2.2 (14)
Best: Deloraine - Alex Whitehead, Tahlia Powe, Hannah Mitchell-Grima, Cec Cameron, Nicole Poke, Tayla Smith; Hillwood - Halle Pearce, Jorja Barron, Janaha Beeton, Narine Maurangi, Jessica Murphy, Síofra Clarke
Goals: Deloraine - Hannah Mitchell-Grima 2, Georgie Bowman, Alex Whitehead; Hillwood - Narine Maurangi, Charlie Giddins
Men’s reserves preliminary final
Old Scotch Collegians 4.5 7.6 10.7 12.9 (81) def Evandale 1.0 3.0 3.1 3.3 (21)
Best: OSC - Ben Russell, Brody Earley, Jasper Krushka, Jeremy Tuson, Rupert Mackenzie, Brad Fryett; Evandale - Zac Foulkes, Keiver Chugg, Callum Peck, Brodie Reaney, Kade Moore, Geoff Stick
Goals: OSC - George Walker 3, Daniel Ellis 2, Brody Earley 2, James Lee, Jasper Krushka, Alex McKenzie, Josh Lyne, Kieran Towns; Evandale - Keiver Chugg, Mitchell Calow, Calum Peck
Men’s seniors preliminary final
Old Scotch Collegians 2.2 5.4 8.6 13.10 (88) def Bridport 0.1 1.3 1.4 1.4 (10)
Best: OSC - Richie Heazlewood, Lachlan Bremner, John McKenzie, Jack Colgrave, Connor Bryant, Nicholas Miller; Bridport - Jack Lanham, Callum Mulder, Jonty Saville, Liam Arnold, Joshua Whelan, Nathaniel Barnett
Goals: OSC - Jackson Young 3, Fletcher Seymour 2, Jack Colgrave 2, Connor Bryant 2, John McKenzie, Zayvier Quilliam, Matthew Duggan; Bridport - Jack Lanham
UNDER 18S
Second semi final
South Launceston 2.1 5.3 6.3 8.6 (54) def Bridgenorth 0.3 1.4 2.5 2.7 (19)
Best: South Launceston - Lochlan Harris, Toby Morrison, Rowan Allen, Patrick Gatenby, William Andrews, Ryan Double; Bridgenorth - Isaac Bramich, Daniel Jordan, Zachary Jones, Kaidyn Apted, Charlie Templar, Joshua Corkery
Goals: South Launceston - Patrick Gatenby 3, Lochlan Harris 3, Gus Chapman, Lincoln Burrows; Bridgenorth - Charlie Templar, Harry Templar
DIVISION ONE GRAND FINAL SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 7 at UTAS Stadium
Women: Meander Valley v Deloraine (9.30am)
Reserves: Lilydale v Old Scotch Collegians (11.25am)
Seniors: Lilydale v Old Scotch Collegians (2pm)
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