Over the past weekend, the final rounds of regular season play in the SFL and NTFA premier leagues took place, while the NWFL finals kicked off.
NWFL - Finals Week 1
On Saturday morning, Wynyard and Devonport’s senior women’s teams faced off in a qualifying final at Dial Park.
Wynyard started strongly and kicked the only two majors of the opening quarter, which were also the only two scores for the interval.
In the second quarter, the Cats extended their lead by eight points and kept Devonport scoreless once again.
The Magpies registered the only major of the third term, however they remained 15 points adrift of Wynyard at three-quarter-time.
Ultimately, the Cats saw off Devonport in the final quarter to win 4.5 (29) to 1.2 (8) and secure a spot in the second qualifying final against Penguin.
Wynyard’s Olivia Smith (one goal, 12 tackles, 23 disposals) and Olivia Pringle (five tackles, six inside-50s, 19 disposals) were excellent for the Cats.
Meanwhile, Sarah Skinner (six marks, eight tackles, 19 disposals) and Kelsey Aherne (seven clearances, nine tackles, 15 disposals) held strong for Devonport.
Following this match, Penguin and Burnie’s senior men’s teams resumed hostilities in an elimination final.
Burnie were the better side early, kicking three goals to one in the first quarter. The second quarter was more of an arm-wrestle, however the Dockers remained in control.
With a three-goal lead in hand at the main break, Burnie solidified their lead with another 3.3 in the third term while restricting Penguin to just two points for the quarter.
In the final quarter, the Dockers cruised to a 12.9 (81) to 5.9 (39) victory over the Two Blues.
The former live to fight another day and will face Wynyard in a semi-final next week.
Josh Murray (seven marks, eight rebound inside-50s, 30 disposals) and Logan Elphinstone (13 clearances, 47 hit-outs, 29 disposals) were prominent for the Dockers against Penguin.
For the Two Blues, Jay Van Essen (seven tackles, 14 clearances, 39 disposals) and Ethan Jackson (one goal, six marks, 27 disposals) were brave in defeat.
The following day, Ulverstone and Burnie’s senior women’s teams did battle in another sudden-death final which was played on the former’s home deck.
Burnie notched the only two scores of the opening term, which were a pair of behinds.
The Robins hit back in the second quarter, kicking the first goal of the game and leading by as much at the half.
After half-time, Ulverstone only extended their lead by a few points in the third term, however the Dockers were held scoreless in the interval just as they were in the previous quarter.
In the final quarter the Robins registered just four points, but for the third quarter in a row Burnie were unable to score, meaning Ulverstone were victorious 1.8 (14) to 0.2 (2).
The Robins will take on Devonport in next Saturday’s semi-final.
After the women’s match, Ulverstone’s senior men’s team hosted Wynyard in a qualifying final.
It was a low-scoring, highly contested battle early, with the Robins kicking 2.4 to Wynyard’s 2.1 in the first quarter.
The Cats dominated the second quarter, kicking four goals to two and securing a lead of 10 points before half-time.
Ulverstone struck back after the main break, notching 3.4 in the third term and keeping Wynyard to just a point throughout.
In the final quarter, the Robins soared to victory, kicking six goals and holding the Cats goalless once again to win 13.11 (89) to 6.8 (44).
Ulverstone will face Devonport next Saturday for a spot in the season decider, while Wynyard will clash with Burnie in a semi-final on Sunday.
SFL Premier League - Brighton vs North Hobart, Clarence vs Glenorchy
In the south, Brighton’s senior men’s team hosted the North Hobart Demons at Pontville. The opening quarter was a low-scoring one, with the Dees in front by five points at the first break.
With a slender lead in hand, North Hobart went on to dominate the second term, kicking seven goals and holding the Robins to a single behind for the entire quarter.
Brighton won the third term by a goal, however they still faced a sizable deficit. In the end, the Demons were too strong, cruising home comfortably to win 14.8 (92) to 6.10 (46).
Nathaniel Sulzberger (six marks, eight inside-50s, 49 disposals) and Tyler McGinniss (nine rebound inside-50s, nine one-percenters, 37 disposals) were impressive for North Hobart.
And for the Robins, Darcy Gardner (one goal, 11 clearances, 29 disposals) and Cody Morgan (six clearances, seven marks, 25 disposals) played with pride in defeat.
Over at Bellerive Oval, Clarence’s senior women’s team took on the Glenorchy Magpies in a twilight fixture. Clarence were red-hot early, kicking 4.4 to a lone point in the opening quarter.
The Roos kept on in the second quarter, kicking three goals to one for the term and consolidating their control.
In front by 43 points at the main break, Clarence continued on their way in the second half, piling on another five majors in the third term to all but assure victory.
In the end Clarence came out on top, winning 14.16 (100) to 2.3 (15) and securing the minor premiership.
Mia Anderson (seven clearances, nine inside-50s, 32 disposals) and Jacinta Limbrick (five goals, eight marks, 16 disposals) were pivotal for the Roos in their dismantling of Glenorchy.
For the Pies, Brieanna Barwick (one goal, eight clearances, 26 disposals) and Jamie-lee Bird (seven one-percenters, 11 rebound inside-50s, 18 disposals) held their ground.
SFL Results
Men
North Hobart 14.8 (92) def. Brighton 6.10 (46)
Clarence 18.14 (122) def. Glenorchy 7.7 (49)
Lauderdale 20.18 (138) def. Kingborough 9.6 (60)
Women
Clarence 14.16 (100) def. Glenorchy 2.3 (15)
Kingborough 13.8 (86) def. Lauderdale 2.0 (12)
Bye: North Hobart
NTFA Premier League - Deloraine vs Scottsdale
In the north, Deloraine and Scottsdale’s senior men’s and women’s skirmished in a double-header at the former’s home venue.
The women’s match took place first and the hosts started solidly, notching two goals to Scottsdale’s one in the opening quarter.
The Magpies began to close the gap between themselves and Deloraine in the second term, however a late Roos goal before half-time saw the latter lead by seven points at the break.
In the third term, Scottdale took the lead and controlled the contest, restricting any scoring from Deloraine for the interval. At three-quarter-time, the Pies led by a goal.
The only score registered in the final quarter between the two sides were a pair of behinds from the Roos, meaning Scottsdale held on to win 4.3 (27) to 3.5 (23).
Alex Hall (five clearances, 14 disposals, 21 disposals) and Ruby Hall (one goal, five tackles, 20 disposals) were vital contributors for the Pies in their win over Deloraine.
For the hosts, Alex Whitehead (eight clearances, nine tackles, 28 disposals) and Hallie Meaburn (one goal, 16 disposals) fought hard for Deloraine in a nail-biting defeat.
The men’s game got underway soon after and it was an arm-wrestle of a first term, with both teams registering two goals apiece and the hosts leading by two points at quarter-time.
Scottsdale responded brilliantly in the second quarter, kicking 4.5 for the term while keeping the Roos to 1.3. At the main change, the Pies led by three goals.
Despite a poor second term, Deloraine lifted in the third, kicking five goals to one and taking a lead of eight points into the final break.
The final quarter was an enthralling affair, however the Roos ultimately outlasted Scottsdale to win 10.12 (72) to 10.9 (69).
NTFA Results
Men
South Launceston 23.20 (158) def. Longford 6.8 (44)
Deloraine 10.12 (72) def. Scottsdale 10.9 (69)
North Launceston 9.18 (72) def. Launceston 8.11 (59)
Women
South Launceston 24.19 (163) def. Longford 1.0 (6)
Scottsdale 4.3 (27) def. Deloraine 3.5 (23)
Launceston 8.8 (56) def. North Launceston 4.4 (28)