With the premier leagues around Tasmania nearing post-season play, some excellent football was on display over the past weekend.
SFL Premier League - Clarence vs Lauderdale
In the south, Clarence and Lauderdale’s senior men’s and women’s teams clashed at Bellerive Oval.
The men’s game took place first and Clarence had the better of their crosstown rival early, kicking three goals to two in the opening quarter.
Lauderdale won the following quarter, however waywardness in front of goal saw them unable to eclipse the Roos’ slender lead before half-time.
The third term was an arm-wrestle between the two sides, who drew level at 7.7 apiece at three-quarter-time.
Despite a defiant effort from Clarence, Lauderdale proved too strong in the end, kicking seven goals to two in the final quarter to win 14.8 (92) to 9.9 (63).
Josh McGuinness (five one-percenters, seven rebound inside-50s, 23 disposals) and Bryce Walsh (seven one-percenters, nine tackles, 21 disposals) were vital in the Bombers’ victory.
Meanwhile, Clarence’s Jarrod Harper (six clearances, eight tackles, 30 disposals) and Josh Green (one goal, seven clearances, 27 disposals) played with pride in a tough defeat.
The women’s match followed soon after, and after a high-scoring first quarter the Roos led by eight points at quarter-time.
In the second quarter, Clarence held the Bombers goalless and kicked away to a 30-point lead at the main interval.
After half-time, the Roos remained in control, notching five goals to two in the third term and extending their lead to 47 at the final break.
Lauderdale stemmed the flow of Clarence goals in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done, with the latter going on to win 14.11 (95) to 8.8 (56).
SFL Results
Men
North Hobart 18.16 (124) def. Kingborough 9.9 (63)
Lauderdale 14.8 (92) def. Clarence 9.9 (63)
Glenorchy 13.15 (93) def. Brighton 2.11 (23)
Women
North Hobart 5.12 (42) def. Kingborough 1.8 (14)
Clarence 14.11 (95) def. Lauderdale 8.8 (56)
Bye: Glenorchy
NTFA Premier League - Launceston vs South Launceston
In the north, Launceston and South Launceston’s senior men’s and women’s teams battled at Windsor Park.
The women’s game was first up and the visiting South Launceston made early inroads, kicking 3.4 to a lone Blues major in the first term.
South Launceston kept on in the second quarter, registering another 3.5 and keeping the home side scoreless throughout the term.
The third term was an uneventful one for scoring, with a Bulldogs goal the only score registered in the quarter.
In the end, South Launceston cruised home in the final quarter to win 10.11 (71) to 1.1 (7).
Liana Freestone (nine rebound inside-50s, 11 clearances, 43 disposals) and Georgia Gillow (two goals, five tackles, 31 disposals) were impressive for the Dogs in a big win.
For Launceston, Jorja Haberle (eight clearances, 26 disposals) and Grace Le Fevre (six tackles, six clearances, 23 disposals) held their ground for the Blues.
The men’s game took place later in the evening, and South Launceston shot out of the blocks early with four goals to one in the opening quarter.
Launceston hit back in the second quarter and reduced the margin to 12 points at the half.
Both teams were inaccurate in front of goal in the third term, and the Dogs held on to a slim lead of three points at three-quarter-time.
In the final quarter, the Blues registered seven goals to three and clinched a hard-fought 14.15 (99) to 11.10 (76) win over South Launceston.
Archie Wilkinson (two goals, 14 marks, 27 disposals) and Jake Hinds (four goals, 26 disposals) were instrumental for Launceston.
For the Bulldogs, Grant Holt (seven inside-50s, seven tackles, 31 disposals) and Tom Graham (eight marks, eight clearances, 23 disposals) were brave in defeat.
NTFA Results
Men
Longford 13.12 (90) def. Scottsdale 2.4 (16)
North Launceston 39.28 (262) def. Deloraine 1.4 (10)
Launceston 14.15 (99) def. South Launceston 11.10 (76)
Women
Longford def. Scottsdale by forfeit
South Launceston 10.11 (71) def. Launceston 1.1 (7)
Deloraine 12.11 (83) def. North Launceston 2.0 (12)
NWFL Premier League - Penguin vs Wynyard, Penguin vs Circular Head
And in the North West, Penguin and Wynyard’s senior women’s teams faced off at Dial Park. The visiting Wynyard were wayward early, kicking five behinds in the opening quarter.
Those five behinds were the only scores registered between the two teams in the first term, and in the following term Penguin took the lead for themselves before half-time.
Both teams notched a goal apiece in the third quarter, and the Two Blues held on to a slender lead of two points at the last change.
In the final quarter, Penguin held the Cats scoreless and put another goal on the board themselves to secure a 3.3 (21) to 1.6 (12) victory.
Shania Saward (10 clearances, 26 disposals) and Georgia Purton (25 disposals) were among the best for the Two Blues in their win over Wynyard.
For the Cats, Olivia Smith (five tackles, six clearances, 28 disposals) and Bali Tuxworth (five one-percenters, five tackles, 20 disposals) fought hard in a tough loss.
Directly after this match, Penguin’s senior men’s teams took on Circular Head at the same ground. Penguin were red-hot early, kicking 6.7 to the Saints’ 1.4 in the first quarter.
The Two Blues continued to dominate in the second quarter, kicking five goals to two and piling on the pain.
With a hefty lead in hand going into the second half, Penguin continued to flex their muscles, notching seven majors in the third term.
In the final quarter, Circular Head kicked seven goals of their own and kept the hosts to just three majors in the term.
However, Penguin were inevitably victorious, winning 21.18 (144) to 11.10 (76).
Ethan Jackson (six marks, eight inside-50s, 36 disposals) and Jack Templeton (seven goals, eight marks, 26 disposals) were brilliant for the Two Blues in an emphatic victory.
Meanwhile, Circular Head’s Liam Davies (seven inside-50s, eight clearances, 38 disposals) and Matt Elliott (seven clearances, nine marks, 30 disposals) held firm for the Saints.
NWFL Results
Men
Latrobe 21.12 (138) def. East Devonport 6.7 (43)
Wynyard 10.7 (67) def. Burnie 9.4 (58)
Devonport 20.17 (137) def. Ulverstone 7.7 (49)
Penguin 21.18 (144) def. Circular Head 11.10 (76)
Women
Ulverstone 6.8 (44) def. Devonport 2.2 (14)
Penguin 3.3 (21) def. Wynyard 1.6 (12)
Burnie 13.6 (84) def. Circular Head 0.1 (1)
Bye: Latrobe