A new era in Tasmanian football began this past weekend, with the new southern (SFL) and north west (NWFL) Premier Leagues kicking off. With a bye in the northern (NTFA) league, all eyes were on the opposite corners of the state.
SFL Premier League - Lauderdale vs Clarence
In the SFL, Lauderdale and Clarence’s men’s and women’s sides faced off in a double-header at Lauderdale Oval.
The men’s teams played earlier in the afternoon, with Clarence taking advantage of a handy breeze and kicking four goals to Lauderdale’s two in the opening term.
However, the Bombers bounced back, kicking 8.3 to Clarence’s 1.1 in the second quarter to secure a 32-point lead at half-time.
With the breeze back in their favour, the Roos recovered some ground in the third term, holding the hosts goalless and reducing the margin to five points at the final change.
Momentum seesawed between both sides in the last quarter, however Lauderdale were ultimately too good, starting off their 2025 campaign with a 14.7 (91) to 11.8 (74) victory over Clarence.
Lauderdale’s Sam Siggins (five goals, 18 disposals) and Fletcher Hooker (one goal, 14 clearances, 23 disposals) were key for the Bombers in a hard-fought victory.
Meanwhile, Clarence’s Oscar Paprotny (one goal, 12 tackles, 35 disposals) and Ben Richmond (five tackles, 48 hit-outs, 24 disposals) stood tall in challenging conditions.
Following the men’s game, the women’s senior teams for both clubs clashed in a twilight fixture.
Clarence were excellent early, kicking 5.5 to Lauderdale’s 0.1 in the first term. Both teams notched two goals each in the second quarter, and the Roos held onto their sizeable lead at the half.
Clarence resumed their dominance after half-time, putting another 3.5 on the board in the third term and holding the Bombers scoreless throughout.
The fourth and final quarter saw both sides register one major apiece, with the final result being a 11.12 (78) to 3.5 (23) victory for the Roos.
Clarence’s Ruby Pacey (one goal, six marks, 25 disposals) and Jacinta Limbrick (two goals, eight marks, 20 disposals) were superb in the Roos’ victory over Lauderdale.
Despite the loss, Lauderdale’s Priya Bowering (nine clearances, 13 one-percenters, 29 disposals) and Evie Ward (one goal, six tackles, 29 disposals) held their ground against the Roos.
SFL Results
For full results, ladders, fixtures and more, click here
Men's
Glenorchy 17.11 (113) def. Brighton 12.10 (82)
Lauderdale 14.7 (91) def. Clarence 11.8 (74)
North Hobart 14.8 (92) def. Kingborough 7.7 (49)
Women's
Clarence 11.12 (78) def. Lauderdale 3.5 (23)
North Hobart 11.3 (69) def. Kingborough 8.3 (51)
Bye: Glenorchy
NWFL Premier League - Wynyard vs Penguin
In the NWFL senior women’s competition, a match between Penguin and Wynyard rounded off a gala day of women’s football at Ulverstone Football Ground.
Scoring was scarce early, with Penguin kicking 1.3 to the Cats’ 1.1 in the opening term. Wynyard responded in emphatic fashion in the following term, kicking five goals to none and taking a 30-point lead at half-time.
Penguin recovered some ground in the third term, kicking 2.1 and keeping the Cats goalless to reduce the latter’s lead to 19 points at three-quarter-time.
Both sides traded blows in an entertaining final quarter, however Wynyard emerged as the victor, winning 8.5 (53) to 4.8 (32).
Wynyard’s Olivia Smith (seven tackles, eight clearances, 33 disposals) and Ella Moodie (three goals, 16 disposals) were vital in the Cats’ victory.
In the Penguin camp, Libby Haines (one goal, 11 contested possessions, 18 disposals) and Emilie Saward (one goal, eight tackles, 17 disposals) were defiant in defeat.
This coming weekend will see both the senior men’s and women’s premier leagues in the north launch for season 2025, as well as the men’s premier league in the NWFL.
NWFL Results
For full results, ladders, fixtures and more, click here
Women's
Ulverstone 9.10 (64) def. Circular Head 1.2 (8)
Devonport 9.6 (60) def. Burnie 0.3 (3)
Wynyard 8.5 (53) def. Penguin 4.8 (32)
Bye: Latrobe