NTFA: Longford doubles up in dramatic prelim showdowns

The drama continued for the NTFA finals after Longford’s two senior sides booked their tickets to next week’s grand finals on Saturday. And in one game it took two periods of extra time.

Longford's Deagan Madden (left, pictured playing Rocherlea earlier this season) returned for Saturday’s preliminary final win. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

It’s been a month of muddy slogs in the wet, but the endeavour has been worth it after Longford booked two tickets to next week’s NTFA premier division grand finals on Saturday.

After their ground copped over 50mm of rain this week, Longford had to repel a spirited late charge by Rocherlea to prevail 8.7 (55) to 7.11 (53).

Their reserves also booked their ticket in dramatic style after they required two periods of extra time to beat Bridgenorth by seven points.

It means Longford and South Launceston will contest both deciders at UTAS Stadium next Saturday.

Longford took advantage of a strong breeze with three unanswered goals in the first term, and looked to have their game in their keeping after they booted two into it in the last quarter.

But even without injured gun midfielder Jordan Cousens, Rocherlea kicked three goals in the last six minutes to nearly break the hosts’ hearts.

The challenging conditions came after the two sides played in similar in the first week of finals, while Longford faced heavy rain and gale force winds in last week’s loss at South Launceston.

“It was pretty trying conciditons. I think we’ve had 55mm of rain at Longford this week,” Longford coach Mitch Stagg said.

“We stayed off the ground and tried to keep it in as good condition as we could, but we had four games of footy and got some rain during the day.

“There’s some battered and tired bodies, but it’s very pleasing. My experience as a player, preliminary finals are the hardest to win.”

Longford now has a chance to add to their senior flag in 2022, which was their first since 1989.

The reserves get a chance to win a club record fourth in a row.

“The conditions (lately) haven’t suited the way we want to play and we’ve had to find other ways to win. That’s the evolution of our group this year.

“In terms of the day, you couldn’t get two better games of footy. In reserves there was two periods of extra time - it was bizarre and nothing like I’ve experienced in footu.

“It’s a fantastic achievement by our club to have two teams in the grand final.”

Longford was also boosted by the return of ruck duo Michael Larby and Deagan Madden from long absences.

It allowed Hamish Sytsma to return up forward, and he booted two crucial goals.

The only downside for Longford was an early hamstring injury to Jake Murfitt, and his availability for the grand final will be assessed this week.

Stagg said midfielders Casey Brown and Liam Davies were highly influential, especially in contested work, while Connor Riethoff had arguably his best game for the club down back.

NTFA PREMIER DIVISION PRELIMINARY FINALS

Seniors

Longford 3.2 3.3 6.6 8.7 (55) def Rocherlea 0.0 1.4 2.6 7.11 (53)

Goals: Longford - Luke Murfitt-Cowen 2, Hamish Sytsma 2, Zachary Morris Jack Donnellan, Casey Brown, Liam Davies; Rocherlea - Jack Rushton 2, Brayden Claridge, Josh Ponting, (three goals not supplied)

Reserves:

Longford 0.0 2.1 3.1 5.5 5.5 7.6 (48) def Bridgenorth 2.3 3.4 5.5 5.5 6.5 (41) in double extra time

Best: Longford - Mitch Hodgetts, Sam Graham, Ben Chugg, Benjamin Murfett, Oliver Chugg, Tyreece Williams; Bridgenorth - Ginger Smith, Jarrod Morley, Robert Page, Joe Chapman, Ryan Geale, Thomas Tierney

Goals: Bridgenorth - Thomas Tierney 2, Joe Chapman, Ginger Smith, Jordon Partridge, Eli O’Sign; Longford - Oliver Chugg 3, Sam Chugg 2, Thomas Dwyer, Mitch Hodgetts

Women

Old Launcestonians 2.0 2.1 4.2 4.3 def Old Scotch Collegians 0.0 1.0 1.0 2.1 (13)

Best: Old Launcestonians - Dana Lester, Ashlea Mawer, Amelia Dowling, Amber Murphy, Sophie Ranken, Carly Farro; Old Scotch - Not supplied

Goals: Old Launcestonians - Amelia Dowling 2, Jessica Jamieson, Taylah Lehman; Old Scotch - Maggie Chen, Amy Prokopiec

Under-18s

Bridgenorth 4.0 6.0 7.1 7.3 (45) def St Patricks 1.0 2.3 2.3 6.6 (42)

Best: Bridgenorth - Corey Mccormick, Harry Templar, Daniel Jordan, Joshua Corkery, Isaac Bramich, Lachlan Berwick; St Patricks - Brock Devine, Jakeb Harris, Lachlan Cheek, Lewis Whiteman, Jonty Groves, Will Saltmarsh

Goals: Bridgenorth - Harry Templar 4, Ethan Bakker 2, Joshua Corkery; Alex Hampton 3, Max Symons, Brock Devine, Hamish Bateman

GRAND FINALS AT UTAS STADIUM - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Under 18s - South Launceston v Bridgenorth

Women - Bridgenorth v Old Launcestonians

Reserves - South Launceston v Longford

Seniors - South Launceston v Longford