NTFA: Skippers keen to ‘ink’ another flag
South Launceston co-captain Jay Blackberry and Longford opposite Kacey Curtis already boast tattoos of their previous flags. Hear from both on their hopes they’ll be the one looking to make room for more ink after Saturday’s NTFA decider.
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It’s a win-win situation for local tattooists, regardless of which team hoists the NTFA premier division trophy on Saturday.
South Launceston co-captain and assistant coach Jay Blackberry has ink just above each ankle toasting the Bulldogs’ state league triumph in 2013 and his three straight flags with Launceston from 2020-22.
His opposing skipper, Longford’s Kacey Curtis, also boasts artwork in the same spot commemorating the Tigers’ 2022 premiership, which broke a 33-year flag drought.
Blackberry has played just two senior games in his second year back at the kennel, with his major role helping head coach Jack Maher guide the team.
His impact was noticeable in a strong display capped by two goals in their qualifying final win over the Tigers a fortnight ago.
“You hit a wall, I’m fit but not match fit,” he said.
“It’s been fun watching from the sidelines. We know we have a good system, to roll out (personally) against Deloraine the last round was good to blow out some cobwebs.
“I felt a lot better last week and two weeks of training for this week, I should be good.
“I’ve sacrificed what I do, go out to the wing with a bit of run and carry instead of bing in the middle. That’s not to say we won’t mix things up this week.
“A different voice and maybe a coach’s voice on the ground has helped them a bit. Grant (Holt, fellow co-captain) and the other guys who have stepped up with the leadership, they don’t really need me anyway.”
Blackberry revealed the Bulldogs’ run and gun style of play had been purpose built from the start of the season to hold up on the bigger UTAS Stadium on grand final day.
“What the boys have done for 20 odd weeks has been brilliant. we’ve set ourselves from round one to play out here on the last day,” he said.
“We knew this was where the grand final was gong to be played, there’s no point making a games style around somewhere other than there.
“Our focus was to be here and we know the game style is going to hold up on this ground. Everything was based on that from the beginning of pre season.”
Blackberry said they already had the speed in the squad to complement the bigger ground.
“We already had it in the club as well, we just needed a couple of older guys to steady up a couple of positions,” he said.
“The majority of it has come from our junior program. We’ve got plenty of run, we know that.
“We weren’t able to show it two weeks ago in that rain (qualifying final), but hopefully with a nice day we can take the game on a bit.”
Curtis admitted the anxiety levels aren’t quite as high as 2022, when they finished minor premiers before beating Rocherlea in the decider to claim a first senior flag since 1989.
Longford will also play South Launceston in Saturday’s reserve grade finale.
“There was a lot of pressure on that one (2022), a huge amount, qualifying first and going in as favourites.
“It was a relief but it is a bit different this time. The nerves are always going to be there but we’re just excited to get another chance to have a crack at it again.”
Curtis conceded club mainstay Jake Murfett faces an uphill battle to be fit to play after injuring his hamstring in the preliminary final win over Rocherlea.
NTFA PREMIER DIVISION GRAND FINALS
Saturday at UTAS Stadium
Under 18s - South Launceston v Bridgenorth (8.45am)
Women - Bridgenorth v Old Launcestonians (10.55am)
Reserves - South Launceston v Longford (12.50pm)
Seniors - South Launceston v Longford (3.30pm)
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