NTFA: Old Scotch powers to back-to-back flags
On another drama-filled day for the NTFA where an electricity outage affected the last quarter, Lilydale were powerless to stop Old Scotch Collegians storming to back-to-back division one flags on Saturday.
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Josh Frankcombe readily admits he’s been “very lucky”.
That’s probably an understatement after he delivered a best on ground display to help Old Scotch Collegians defend their NTFA division one title in Saturday’s 14.14 (98) to 5.12 (42) grand final win over Lilydale at UTAS Stadium.
Frankcombe, a Longford junior, has now won five flags with the Thistles, and capped seven years at the Tigers by captaining them to their first premiership since 1989 in 2022.
The inside midfielder had an enormous impact as Old Scotch dominated the second half after leading by ten points at the main break.
They kicked eight goals to one in the second half to be deserved winners, in another drama-filled day where a power blackout impacted the game early in the fourth quarter.
The scoreboard was inoperable for the rest of the match, but by that time the Thistles had established a five-goal lead and only extended their advantage from there.
It was a surge the Demons were powerless to stop.
“I’ve been very lucky,” Frankcombe said.
“It’s a brilliant way to come back. The club’s been brilliant and a lot of hard work has gone into the year with the boys, so it’s good to get that finish.
“At half time it could have gone either way, we were very happy with the boys’ performance and we finished off with a few goals.
“It was really special to come back with the club, and especially with a couple of the boys I played with years ago. To win another with them is very special.”
Frankcombe was thankful his side had already taken a stranglehold on the game before the power outage.
Electricity was restored about ten minutes after the conclusion of the match.
“It was a bit different, I’ve never had that before in a game,” he said.
“To in like we did and ick away in the last quarter was pleasing.”
Aidan Jackman and Connor Bryant were also superb for the Thistles.
Both teams went 15-1 for the regular season, but a greater ability to capitalise when the breeze was behind their backs was crucial early for the victors.
Kicking with the breeze in the first quarter at UTAS Stadium, Old Scotch Collegians began brightly with snapped goals to John McKenzie and Matthew Duggan.
However Lilydale struck back hard through quick goals to Luke Walsh and Matthew Saunders to cancel out the Thistle’s lead.
Old Scotch kicked the last two goals of the first quarter to ensure they took advantage of the breeze, and held Lilydale to two goals apiece into it in the second term.
Up by ten points at half-time, Old Scotch extended their lead early in the third term when Jack Colgrave kicked his 60th goal for the season with a snapped set shot from the pocket.
When he added another a few minutes later, Old Scotch had finally established a stranglehold on the game with a 24-point lead.
McKenzie capped a standout performance with his third goal late in the third quarter to break Lilydale’s hearts and give his side a 31-point lead at the last change.
In the reserves decider, Old Scotch Collegians recovered from a slow start with a four-goals-to-one final term to beat Lilydale 9.7 (61) to 5.6 (36), and also secure back-to-back flags.
George Walker was named best on ground after booting five goals for the Thistles.
NTFA DIVISION ONE GRAND FINALS
SENIORS
Old Scotch Collegians 4.2 6.5 10.9 14.14 (98) def Lilydale 2.2 4.7 4.7 5.12 (42)
Goals: Old Scotch Collegians - John McKenzie 3, Jack Colgrave 2, Josh Matthews 2, Matthew Duggan 2, Jackson Young 2, Tim Walker, Connor Bryant, Charlie Eastoe; Lilydale - Matthew Saunders 2, Luke Walsh, Kurtis Tuck, Louis Venn
Best: Old Scotch Collegians - Josh Frankcombe, John McKenzie, Aiden Jackman, Fletcher Seymour, Jonty Swallow, Joshua Mathews; Lilydale - Luke Walsh, Daniel Viney, Logan Reynolds, Louis Venn, Billy Tuckerman, Jai Asbury
Best on ground: Josh Frankcombe (Old Scotch)
RESERVES
Old Scotch Collegians 1.1 3.2 5.5 9.7 (61) def Lilydale 3.2 3.3 4.3 5.6 (36)
Best: Old Scotch Collegians - Ben Russell, George Walker, Brody Earley, Jeremy Tuson, Ben Darke, Will Gray; Lilydale - Beau Tuthill, Tom Grimes, Jake Oloughin, Bailey Hawes, Jordan Harris, Brent Hammersley
Goals: Old Scotch Collegians - George Walker 5, Daniel Ellis 2, Ben Russell, Matthew Humphrey; Lilydale - Jordan Harris 3, Jake Oloughin, Patrick Sulzberger
Best on ground: George Walker (Old Scotch)
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