Tasmania win AFL Inclusion Carnival Div 1 premiership

Tasmanian coach Darrin Geard has praised his side following Friday’s AFL National Inclusion carnival grand final win.

SPRINGFIELD, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 13: Tasmania celebrate winning the division 1 AFL National Inclusion Carnival grand final. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Tasmania coach Darrin Geard has praised his players for their commitment and dedication following Friday’s historic division one grand final win at the AFL National Inclusion Carnival.

In a highly entertaining and competitive clash, Tasmania defeated reigning premiers South Australia by four points – 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30) – to win the state’s first ever premiership at a national football carnival.

SPRINGFIELD, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 13: Tasmanian co-captains Craig Blaschke, Justin Nilon and coach Darrin Geard celebrate the win over SA. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The annual carnival for the most talented male footballers with an intellectual disability saw representative teams from eight States and Territories compete throughout the week.

Geard, who was also named coach of the carnival’s all-Australian team, said the win was a credit to the hard work his squad had put in both prior and during the tournament.

“These amazing young men were so committed to achieve the best result possible,” he said.

“The premiership was a fitting result for their efforts. This success has been driven by the application of all the athletes in our program.”

After winning their first seven games of the carnival in the round-robin stages, Tassie were defeated by South Australia in their first division one game by six points.

But they responded incredibly well with two strong wins over Western Australia and Victoria to qualify for the grand final.

The eventual premiers took a three-point lead into the first break before momentum swung back in South Australia’s favour, taking a 16-point lead into halftime.

That was cut to nine at the final break before an early goal to Blake Bonnitcha in the final term cut the margin back to three.

SPRINGFIELD, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 13: Hayden Britten and Joel Corbett celebrate the goal that gave Tasmania the premiership winning lead. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Minutes later, Tasmanian forward Hayden Britten marked just inside 50 when South Australia’s Jessie Goodwin ran through the mark.

The infringement saw Britten kick truly from the goal square, putting Tasmania in-front in the dying stages and securing them a famous win.

Midfielder Joel Corbett was adjudged best afield in the win while four players joined Geard in the all-Australian side.

Captain Craig Blaschke, Jordyn Blizzard, Brayden Cowell and Bailey Menzies were rewarded for terrific individual performances throughout the carnival.