NTFA Premier: Morris targets more UTAS grand final glory
A spot in Tasmania’s first VFL team is a goal, but first Zach Morris wants to add another flag to his CV with Longford on Saturday after returning mid-season from VFL and SANFL stints. Plus get up to date on everything you need to know for NTFA premier division grand final day.
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Gun Longford recruit Zach Morris has felt the euphoria of grand final glory on UTAS Stadium before. He wants to feel that jubilation again.
He featured in TSL flags with Launceston in 2021 and 2022, before deciding to test himself at VFL and SANFL level.
But while helping the Tigers beat South Launceston in Saturday’s NTFA premier division grand final is his main focus, he is keen to press for a spot in the state’s first VFL team.
The 21-year-old played 12 senior VFL games with Northern Bullants last year before joining some old Tasmanian mates at Norwood this season
After playing in the reserves for the SANFL powerhouse, mostly down half-back, the classy youngster followed some old school friends to the Tigers mid season.
Morris won the Devils under-18 best and fairest in 2021, and kicked nine goals in just his seventh TSL game that season.
He also made an immediate impact for Longford when named best on ground on debut in its round 13 win over South Launceston, the Bulldog’s only loss this year.
Known for his speed off the mark and ability to get on the outside, the forward has shown his versatility by adding more contested skills to his repertoire on the region’s heavy, rain-affected decks.
He has kicked 19 goals in nine games with Longford, and can also play midfield and play as an extra man in defence.
Asked to reflect on his TSL flags, Morris said: “It’s why you play football, it’s a great feeling and hopefully we can get over the line on Saturday.
“I played some games (for Norwood) in reserves and was an emergency for a few games, but couldn’t quite crack it and ended up back home for personal and family reasons.
“There’s a fair few good mates from school (at Longford) so I ended up there.”
Longford captain Kacey Curtis said Morris has complemented the club, on and off the field.
“We’re stoked to have him. As a player and bloke he’s an absolute ripper and has fit in seamlessly,” Curtis said.
“What he brings to our side, whether it’s back, forward or mid, he’s a beauty. He’s going to play a massive role on Saturday, I’d like to think.”
South Launceston co-captain Jay Blackberry played alongside Morris in TSL flags with Launceston in 2021 and 2022.
He said Morris’ multifaceted game is a weapon for Longford.
“He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that,” Blackberry said.
“They’ve thrown him around a bit, so if we can dictate the game hopefully we dictate where they have to play him and that makes our day a bit easier.”
Wet weather has plagued the NTFA finals, and Morris is relishing a dry track forecast for Saturday at UTAS Stadium, which he rates the state’s best surface.
“It (NTFA) is definitely a lot different. With the grounds being a lot heavier it’s a bit more contested footy and won at the source a bit more.
“I’m still trying to adapt to it, but at the right time of year I’m finding my feet with it.
“The last month has definitely been pretty hard on the body, but I feel like all the boys are getting that recovery in and getting ourselves right for the weekend.
“I pride myself on being competitive and trying to win the footy, and do what I can for the team. I‘ve had to add a few more strings to my bow with contested game.
“It (UTAS) is the best deck in the state and I’d say it will suit my game, and a few of the other guys.”
Although he didn’t play senior football at Norwood, Morris learned plenty on the work required to realise his potential.
“I loved every bit of it and I had some mates over there liked Jackson Callow, Oliver Sanders and a couple of other boys I played Devils with,” he said.
“(I learned) just little things like doing extras before and after training, and just making sure you get everything out of training sessions.
“Recovery is now a big thing for me when it never was and also nutrition, the little things.”
Morris said the Tigers are keen to start well against South Launceston, who will start favourites after beating them by 33 points in the qualifying final.
“I feel like they took their chances early and we didn’t start the game we wanted to,” Morris said.
“The last couple of weeks of training we’ve realised we have to have better starts. On the weekend we did that and put ourselves in a good position early.”
His full focus is on Saturday, but Morris said making Tasmania’s inaugural VFL squad, which is hoped to begin in 2026, is a goal.
“I”m not looking too far ahead but hopefully representing the state again (is a goal),” he said.
“That was some of the best years of my footy back in under-18s, hopefully I’ll look to do that but I’m just looking forward to this weekend.
“To represent your state is a big thing and I’d love to be a part of that first VFL team.”
NTFA PREMIER DIVISION GRAND FINALS
Saturday at UTAS Stadium
Under 18s - South Launceston v Bridgenorth (8.45am)
Women - Bridgenorth v Old Launcestonians (10.55am) - Match preview here
Reserves - South Launceston v Longford (12.50pm)
Seniors - South Launceston v Longford (3.30pm)
Tickets can be purchased via trybooking.com HERE
Pre sale tickets $10, Tickets purchased on day $15, Concession $5 on the day
SENIOR GRAND FINAL TEAMS
South Launceston - Harry Summers, Jordan Tepper, Jay Blackberry (c), Matthew Lee, Bowen Pearce, Grant Holt (c), Jordan Bennett, Leigh Harding, Lachie Cocker, Harry Charlesworth, Lachlan Bryan, Brock Kenny, Brendan Taylor, Tom Foon, Olly Woodcock-Davis, Hunter Farrelly, Sam Lucas, Cody Lowe, Luke McCarty, Tom Graham, Bradley Dodds, Sebastian Page
Read Bulldogs coach Jack Maher’s thoughts this weekHERE
Longford - Joshua Gray, Connor Riethoff, Jaidyn Harris, Ethan Hubbard, Dylan Headland, Liam Davies, Kacey Curtis (c), Luke Murfitt-Cowen, Deagan Madden, Joel Lloyd, Casey Brown, Jack Donnellan, Kobe Moore, Jett Maloney, Zach Morris, Connor Pearton, Mitchell Bennett, Connor Alexander, Hamish Sytsma, Michael Larby, Lachlan Dakin, William Dakin. Emergencies - Oliver Chugg, Tom Gatenby, Daniel Berry
Read Tigers coach Mitch Stagg’s thoughts this weekHERE
PLAYERS TO WATCH
SOUTH LAUNCESTON CO-CAPTAIN JAY BLACKBERRY
Luke McCarty (defender): McCarty has won four flags with the Bulldogs and a club record five best and fairests, and will play his 150th game in the grand final. “I think obviously Luke McCarty being his 150th, he’s been there and done it all in the NTFA,” Blackberry said.
“He’s jumping around like he’s 18 again, I think he’s going to put on a good show for us.
Brendan Taylor (midfield): “He’s a bit of a Rolls Royce who just goes to work and gets it done. He’s still underrated for some unknown reason. If he can get forward and kick some goals, especially on this deck, he’s one of the hardest guys in this competition to stop.”
Hunter Farrelly (forward): “His last six weeks or so of footy has been superb. We got him from down the coast this year and he’s a ripping kid. He has heaps of speed, knows where the goals are and knows this ground playing for North Launnie a couple of years ago. He’s a big x-factor.”
LONGFORD COACH MITCH STAGG
Zach Morris (forward): “Putting a score on the board in a grand final is really important and Zach Morris is someone who’s come into the competition from a really high level and has caused South Launceston some headaches. He’ll be important to our chances.”
Casey Brown (midfield): “I’ve been really impressed with his finals series and the fast and wide deck at UTAS will really suit him. He’s got an electric first five steps, a really powerful inside mid who can get on the outside as well. That balance he can provide our midfield is crucial, and the last month he’s been hitting the scoreboard as well.
Connor Alexander (defence): “The fullback is the glue that holds our defence together. He hasn’t been beaten this year, every week he’s the first magnet on the board and that’ll be no different this week. He’s a lynchpin for us.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD THIS SEASON
Qualifying final: South Launceston 9.16 (70) def Longford 6.1 (37) at Youngtown Oval. - MATCH REPORT HERE
Round 13: Longford 9.9 (63) def South Launceston 8.5 (53) at Longford
Round four: South Launceston 12.12 (84) def Longford 9.8 (62) at Youngtown Oval
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