This past weekend was an eventful one for football around Tasmania, with sides vying for finals qualification in the waning hours of the 2025 season.
SFL Premier League - North Hobart vs Clarence, Brighton vs Kingborough.
In the south, North Hobart and Clarence’s senior women’s teams battled at North Hobart Oval.
The visiting Clarence made a strong start against the Demons, kicking 3.3 to a goal in the opening quarter.
The Roos remained in control throughout the second quarter and extended their lead out to 23 points at half-time.
After the main interval, Clarence held North Hobart goalless in the third term and kicked away to a 39-point lead at the final change.
The final quarter was another solid display from the Roos, who cruised to a 10.11 (71) to 3.5 (23) victory over the Demons.
Mia Anderson (six marks, nine inside-50s, 33 disposals) and Luca Murgatroyd (four goals, five tackles, 17 disposals) were excellent for Clarence in their win over the Dees.
For North Hobart, Angelica Clark (six one-percenters, 15 clearances, 35 disposals) and Grace White (two goals, nine marks, 31 disposals) played with pride.
Over at Pontville, Brighton’s senior men’s side hosted the Kingborough Tigers. Kingborough were dominant early, kicking 6.3 to 2.1 in the first term.
Ten goals were notched between the two opponents in the second quarter, with the Robins kicking six of them to reduce the margin to 15 points at the main break.
In the third quarter, the Tigers put their foot down with five goals to one and furthered their lead to 42 points at three-quarter-time.
Despite a notable effort from Brighton in the final quarter of 4.2 to the Tigers’ 3.1, the latter still prevailed to win 18.10 (118) to 13.5 (83), a crucial victory for their finals chances.
Kieran Lovell (four goals, eight marks, 39 disposals) and Tyler Carter (four goals, 20 disposals) were instrumental in Kingborough’s victory over Brighton.
For the Robins, Darcy Gardner (two goals, 11 clearances, 30 disposals) and Samuel Lewis-Johnson (six one-percenters, seven clearances, 26 disposals) fought hard.
SFL Results
Men
Lauderdale 17.9 (111) def. Glenorchy 6.7 (43)
Kingborough 18.10 (118) def. Brighton 13.5 (83)
Clarence 17.13 (115) def. North Hobart 11.7 (73)
Women
Clarence 10.11 (71) def. North Hobart 3.5 (23)
Glenorchy 6.9 (45) def. Lauderdale 5.8 (38)
Bye: Kingborough
NTFA Premier League - Longford vs South Launceston
In the north, Longford and South Launceston’s senior men’s and women’s teams faced off at the former’s home ground.
The women’s game took place first and South Launceston were red-hot early, registering an unanswered 6.4 in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs continued to dominate in the following quarter, kicking ten goals while still restricting Longford’s scoring.
The second half was akin to the first, with the visitors piling on thirteen more goals and inevitably winning 29.16 (190) to 0.0 (0).
Liana Freestone (three goals, 12 inside-50s, 38 disposals) and Lucy Sulzberger (eight goals, 11 marks, 27 disposals) led the way for South Launceston in a mammoth victory.
For the Tigers, Eden Sheehan (six one-percenters, 18 disposals) and Jade Nichols (five tackles, eight clearances, 16 disposals) stood tall on a tough day for the home side.
The men’s game followed soon after, and the Tigers were excellent early with 3.3 to South Launceston’s 1.2 in the opening quarter.
In the second term, the ‘Dogs flipped the script with 3.3 to Longford’s 1.2 and leveled the ledger at 29 points apiece at half-time.
The third term was an arm-wrestle between the two teams, however South Launceston eked ahead to lead by seven points at three-quarter-time.
The final quarter was a worthy conclusion to a great contest, with a dozen goals kicked altogether. Ultimately, the Bulldogs were victorious, winning 12.10 (82) to 11.11 (77).
South Launceston’s Logan Smith (one goal, 11 marks, 24 disposals) and Matthew Lee (four goals, nine marks, 20 disposals) were vital for the visitors in their win over Longford.
And for the Tigers, Deagan Madden (eight clearances, nine marks, 31 disposals) and Casey Brown (seven inside-50s, 10 clearances, 23 disposals) played brilliantly in a tough loss.
NTFA Results
Men
North Launceston 41.23 (269) def. Scottsdale 1.3 (9)
South Launceston 12.10 (82) def. Longford 11.11 (77)
Launceston 39.23 (257) def. Deloraine 1.6 (12)
Women
Scottsdale 12.5 (77) def. North Launceston 0.1 (1)
Deloraine 7.6 (48) def. Launceston 4.3 (27)
South Launceston 29.16 (190) def. Longford 0.0 (0)
NWFL Premier League - Devonport vs Penguin, Wynyard vs Ulverstone
And in the North West, Devonport and Penguin’s senior women’s teams battled at Devonport Oval.
After a closely contested first quarter, the hosts led by five points at the first change after kicking two goals to Penguin’s 1.1.
However, the Two Blues hit back with three goals to one in the second quarter and took a lead of 10 points into the main interval.
After half-time, Penguin registered an unanswered 3.1 in the third term and extended their lead to 29 at the final change.
In the end, the Two Blues finished strongly with another three majors in the last term to win 10.7 (67) to 3.0 (18).
Shania Saward (two goals, 10 clearances, 32 disposals) and Libby Haines (four goals, six tackles, 15 disposals) were superb for the Two Blues in a classy victory.
For Devonport, Georgia Anderson (six tackles, seven one-percenters, 19 disposals) and Kelsey Aherne (seven rebound inside-50s, 10 tackles, 17 disposals) stood tall.
In the men’s competition, Wynyard and Ulverstone skirmished on the former’s home deck. Wynyard were clinical early, kicking four goals to one in the opening quarter.
Ulverstone responded strongly in the second quarter, kicking 3.6 to the Cats’ 2.1 and reducing the margin to six points at half-time.
In the third term, Wynyard steadied and kicked away to a lead of 24 points after notching five goals to two for the quarter.
Ulverstone made a late charge in the final quarter, however the Cats held on to win 12.6 (78) to 10.13 (73).
NWFL Results
Men
Latrobe 11.14 (80) def. Circular Head 11.9 (75)
Devonport 20.16 (136) def. Burnie 5.9 (39)
Wynyard 12.6 (78) def. Ulverstone 10.13 (73)
Penguin 21.19 (145) def. East Devonport 4.4 (28)
Women
Circular Head 6.15 (51) def. Latrobe 1.0 (6)
Wynyard 3.6 (24) def. Ulverstone 1.4 (10)
Penguin 10.7 (67) def. Devonport 3.0 (18)
Bye: Burnie