NTFA: Tigers break round one victory drought in statement win
They hadn’t won in round one for seven years. But Rocherlea ended that drought at Bridgenorth, and sent a statement to the rest of the NTFA division one. Get all the scores from footy’s return on Saturday here.
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2555 days. But who’s counting?
Rocherlea certainly was after breaking their seven-year round one victory drought in a statement 13.10 (88) to 6.5 (41) win at Bridgenorth on Saturday.
After being one of the top sides in the premier league in recent years, including the 2023 flag, the Tigers are regarded by most as the team to beat in the new-look division one competition.
They did nothing to dispel those opinions after surging away late in blustery conditions.
The visitors kicked eight goals to four after the main break, with hulking young ruck-forward Lachlan Holton kicking three for the game.
But the most exuberant goal celebration was left to former Bridgenorth player Jake Rice, who silenced the hecklers with a surgical running finish from 50-metres out in the second term.
The goal came just minutes after he copped a few beers from the Parrots faithful.
Rice was one of the Tigers’ best playing across half-back, while fellow recruit Corey Nankervis also had a strong game.
“We always knew he (Rice) was going to cop something, the old mob in round one out here,” new Rocherlea coach Luke Richards said.
“To get on the end of one and put it through the big sticks, obviously we heard the boos so we wanted to get around him and make it known.
“We touched on we haven’t won a round one game for 2,555 days (2018), so it’s something we wanted to tick off and start well.
“Kicking into the breeze (in the first quarter), the first ten minutes we were a bit patchy and played too fast too early, but after that we controlled it.”
Richards said his side was guilty of bombing it long in the second quarter wit the win behind their back, and made the adjustments after half time.
“We noticed (Bridgenorth’s) Rohan Sergeant came from the wing in the second quarter and sat back. We didn’t lower our eyes well enough and kicked it to him four or five times,” Richards said.
“We touched on the break to lower the eyes because the hit ups (from the forwards) were there.”
Richards said teenager Holton had earned his chance in the senior side with a big summer on the track.
“He’s had a pretty big pre season. He started it off pretty slow, but we worked on him and told him there’s a spot there for him if he wants to work hard,” Richards said.
“He’s put in the work pre training and after training, so the rewards will come for him.”
Rice was pleased to get his return to Parrot Park out of the way immediately with a win.
“It’s good to come out the end of it and especially playing the old side, it gives us confidence and we just wanted to win that first game,” he said.
“I just played it like a normal game, once I got a first touch it got better and better.
“As soon as I kicked the goal it set the tone for me, all I wanted to do was play my role and help the team out.
“I played wing last couple of years and got burnt. I’m happy to sit behind the ball, read the play and use my legs.”
Both teams wore black arm bands and held a pre-game minute’s silence in respect to former Bridgenorth player James Wallace, who died suddenly earlier this year.
Elswhere, Lilydale’s gun recruit Jay Lockhart kicked three goals as the Demons won the Tamar Cup with an 83-point thrashing of George Town, Bracknell beat Hillwood by 49 points and St Patricks won a low-scoring scrap against Old Scotch.
NTFA ROUND ONE
Division one:
Rocherlea 13.10 (88) def Bridgenorth 6.5 (41); Lilydale 18.14 (122) def George Town 6.3 (39); Bracknell 14.7 (91) def Hillwood 6.6 (42); St Patricks 6.7 (43) def Old Scotch Collegians 3.10 (28)
Division two: Evandale 11.11 (77) def Bridport 10.11 (71); Perth 9.6 (60) def East Coast 8.5 (53); Campbell Town 30.18 (198) def University 2.0 (12)
Division one women: Old Scotch 22.10 (142) def St Patricks 0.0 (0)
EARLIER: Round preview - Lockhart primed to impress in Lilydale return
Jay Lockhart “can’t stop smiling” as he prepares to line up for junior club Lilydale in their NTFA division one season opener this weekend.
But the former Melbourne Demon is dead serious he’s returning home to win as he laps up the nostalgia of reconnecting with his roots.
Lockhart, who played 22 AFL games for Melbourne, will play for the Demons where he first laced up a boot when they revive a long-dormant rivalry against George Town on Saturday.
The 29-year-old hopes to play around seven or eight games during the regular season as well as finals, starting with the home clash against the Saints and their round two showdown at Rocherlea.
Lockhart has most recently played with VFL heavyweights Southport and will travel from his home base in northern NSW as a playing assistant coach.
“I’m bloody excited to get out there and have a kick with them again,” Lockhart said.
“I’m keen to connect some older relationships and new ones and I’m just excited, I can’t stop smiling.
“My dad’s a (Lilydale) life member and I played all my juniors there,
“For me it’s about reconnecting with my home town, but you play footy to win as well. Everyone’s a competitor and I want to win as much as we can and hopefully win the whole thing, that’s the goal.”
Lockhart and partner Grace are expecting their first child in mid-July, but Lockhart is confident it won’t drastically impact the agreement.
“It’s about getting those games in, but it doesn’t change at all how I’m attacking the year, we’ll make it work,” he said.
Lilydale coach Corey Lockett has urged long-time friend Lockhart to “not feel like he’s stepping on people’s toes” and offer plenty of guidance to his team.
“Corey and I have been in contact every week as an assistant coach,” Lockhart said.
“I’m very competitive and as I’m not there every week it might be strange (to speak up), but I’m mates with most of them and know most of them very well.
“They know where it’s coming from and they’ve got an appetite to learn, which is awesome.”
Lockhart caught the eye of Melbourne after starring in a representative match for Tasmania.
But while he would love to wear ‘The Map’ again, he won’t stand in the way of a player based in the state.
“I’d love to play rep footy, I haven’t in a long time. But also I respect the league enough and the player that if they’ve played ten games and I’ve only played three or four, I’d be making sure those guys get an opportunity,” he said.
“I don’t want to take anyone’s spot in that regard. I know working Monday to Friday and playing footy on a Saturday is tough, and if you get named in a rep side it’s a great achievement.”
After the restructure of NTFA divisions this year, the clash will be the first time the Demons and Saints have clashed in over 41 years, and they will play for the Tamar Cup.
Lockett said Lockhart’s return is a massive boost for the club.
“We’re a tight group who hasn’t had an outside voice for a while. To bring someone in with his experience no one else in our side has, game day is when we’ll see that (benefit),” Lockett said.
“I’ve encouraged him to be vocal and not feel like he’s stepping on people’s toes, because everyone’s going to listen to him. Everyone wants to be a sponge, we don’t want him going into his shell.
“We don’t have a heap of younger blokes, but the ones we do are probably the most excited. They want to get in there and be a sponge to him.”
Lockett said Lockhart would understandably play mostly around the ball, but his versatility gives them valuable options.
“He’ll be straight in the middle, but he’s got the flexibility to go either end of the ground,” he said.
“He was a state league half back flanker and also played forward in the VFL and kicked 30 odd goals.
“We plan to keep him where the ball is as much as we can. Eight games (he plays minimum) is still a lot and it could end up being more, we want to get the most out of him.
“I’m sure he’ll want to make a pretty good impression at the club where he grew up.
“He keeps in touch with us throughout pre season, but the real benefit is when he plays multiple games in a row. He’ll add another element to our training and game day it’s invaluable what he’ll bring.”
The Demons built a 15-1 record in last year’s division one before losing the grand final, but the presence of former premier league clubs make this year’s campaign a tougher task.
They play four of those sides dropping back in consecutive weeks to start the season. But Lockett said the club has been awaiting the chance to challenge themselves for some time.
“We’ve been a top three side in our comp for about nine years in a row. Getting a chance to show we’re up to it, albeit slightly later than we’d have preferred it to happen, we feel like our best side is well and truly good enough to be competitive,” Lockett said.
“We feel like every week is going to be a competitive game, whereas last year was pretty predictable unless you’re playing the other top couple of sides.
“Rocherlea might be the benchmark of our comp, but other than that it’s a chook raffle which is good, it’s keeps everyone on their toes every week.
“There might be weeks we’re out of our depth, but that makes us get better.”
NTFA ANNOUNCES REP COACHES
North Launceston premiership coach Adrian Smith will take the reins of the NTFA Premier League’s representative team this year, which will give players a chance to audition for the state’s first VFL side.
Smith guided the Bombers to the last TSL flag after an unbeaten season in his first year as head coach.
He is adamant players will be rewarded with selection for filling specific roles in their teams over picking a virtual ‘all star’ team.
“There’ll be surprise packets who come out of nowhere who play a particular role at their club,” he said.
“One of the things I’m really firm on is we have to reward the players who fill different roles each week in their team.
“We’re not just picking a team of all midfielders because they might be the best players.
“It’s around (building towards) the VFL program in 2026, a chance for those guys to keep progressing and try and be in that first team in 2026.”
While the Bombers are expected to dominate the inaugural NTFA Premier League, Smith said his widespread coaching staff will give everyone the chance to press for selection.
“The most exciting thing is I have a group of coaches working with me not connected to clubland, that will help that independence,” he said.
“Every game is reviewed and has vision, data and stats. With every coach’s recommendations with can narrow a squad down that can be pretty competitive.
“We’ve got three early games of footy to see where the form line sits. There’ll be surprise packets who come out of nowhere who play a particular role at their club.”
The women’s premier league side will be overseen by co coaches Mikayla Binns and Ash Smith.
Smith is incumbent coach, while former Launceston and Scottsdale coach Binns has come on board after taking this year off playing with a foot ligament injury.
“Ash approached me asking if I wanted to, and I said yes because it’s a role to be a part of it,” she said.
“It’s really hard to sit on the sidelines and watch, but hopefully this will help.”
Smith said the tri series against the SFL and NWFL is a great chance for the region’s best talent to put themselves up in light for potential VFLW opportunity.
“The tri series is a great showcase for the three regions in Tassie. If I was a selector for that (Tasmania VFLW) team I’d be getting to the tri series and having a look at that,” he said.
“It’s hard for the state academy to get around and watch all the football around the regions. To have the best players in the one spot, it’s easier to see if they can add to their squad.”
Evandale coach Lochie Dornauf will coach the community leagues men’s representative team against the SFL, while Meander Valley men’s coach Adrian Collins will oversee the division one women’s rep side.
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