NTFA: The ‘one club mindset’ driving the Dogs
South Launceston will have three teams playing on NTFA premier division grand final day on Saturday. And they credit a “one club mindset” for their success.
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South Launceston will have three teams playing on grand final day. But that’s more good management and a “one club mindset” than good luck.
From the outset, from senior management down to under-18s, the goal was to implement the same structures and philosophies which have propelled the Bulldogs to success.
The club has taken time to appreciate the achievement of their senior, reserves and under-18 teams all making Saturday’s NTFA premier division deciders at UTAS Stadium.
But they also made it clear it means nothing if they can’t stock their trophy cabinet come Saturday night.
“We reflected a bit on it on Tuesday night as a club, and I spoke to the whole group of how the club is really proud of it,” Bulldogs senior coach Jack Maher said.
It’s a good achievement to make three, but at the end of the day unless you win it we haven’t really achieved a hell of a lot.
“That will be the goal to make sure we bring home three cups to the kennel.”
Maher said everyone having a deep understanding of their on-field roles and responsibilities from the ground up was a key focus when he and assistant coach Jay Blackberry assumed control last season.
The Bulldogs seniors have lost just once this year, to grand final opponents Longford in early July, but hit back against the Tigers with a dominant 33-point qualifying final win.
“It was a goal through the pre season, to make sure the game plan was throughout the whole club and making sure everyone was up to speed,” Maher said.
“It didn’t matter what division you were playing, you could come in and play that same role.
“You’ll find all three teams will be trying to play quite similar on the weekend. Obviously you spend more time with the senior group, but it’s been a one club mindset the whole year.
“There’s been a few times when the chips are down and I’ve asked for them to give us a smile,
“It’s a gentle reminder you do play the game because you love doing it with your mates. It’s been a big theme all year, and it will be a big theme this week.”
The Bulldogs game plan is aggressive, gut running, and their ability to hurt teams on the outside has been a major factor in their success.
Maher is confident the wide expanses of UTAS Stadium will suit that style.
“Obviously the ground dimensions change a fair bit, we’ll introduce a couple of things with our ball movement and how we want to defend,” he said.
“The beauty of it is we’ve had an extra week to prepare for the ground, we did that all last week.
“We’ll change a couple of things up but you don’t reinvent the wheel this time of year, it’s worked so far.
“We kind of applied the dimensions to the South ground so the boys could get a bit of an idea, because it’s a fair bit bigger.
“I find it’s easier to go to bigger grounds than smaller grounds, particularly with how we play. I think it’s only going to be an advantage for our run and spread.”
South Launceston last played a senior grand final in 2021, where they went down to Bracknell by 19 points.
Non playing coach Maher played in the Bulldogs’ last flag in 2018, also against the Redlegs, as did current players Jordan Tepper, Leigh Harding and Luke McCarty.
Harding was considering retirement this year, but showed he’s can still impact big games with three goals in the wet against Longford in the qualifying final.
“I haven’t really spoken to those guys (football plans), it’s something we might touch on after the game,” Maher said.
“They’re all playing really good footy at the moment, so the ball is in their court really.”
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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