LAUNCESTON Tornadoes chairwoman Janie Finlay said Saturday night’s preliminary final crowd was Elphin Stadium’s biggest in living memory.
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A maximum 1100 fans witnessed Reece Potter’s charges rip through the Geelong Supercats 79-68 to book a place in the Southern Conference grand final in Victoria against Kilsyth on Saturday.
Several people were inevitably turned away at the gate with all tickets sold in advance but Finlay said it was “an amazing problem to have”.
“To fill the stadium and pre-sell all the tickets just demonstrates how passionate and supportive the community is,” she said.
“The atmosphere was just incredible. The girls really lift when that energy is in the stadium.
“Unfortunately when you sell out there are always going to people that are disappointed and we appreciate people’s patience and understanding.
Unfortunately when you sell out there are always going to people that are disappointed and we appreciate people’s patience and understanding.
- Tornadoes chairwoman Janie Finlay
“We had a licence limit on the stadium and we hit it.”
There were technical difficulties with the online live stream, but the game was broadcast on City Park Radio.
Finlay said a small contingent of supporters would be heading to Melbourne to cheer on Launceston in their battle with a strong Lady Cobras line-up.
The ledger between the two outfits this season stands at 2-1 in Kilsyth’s favour with the Torns going down 81-71 in their semi-final duel at Kilsyth Sports Stadium on August 20.
At home Launceston it was the Tornadoes that won 81-71 and the Lady Cobras 83-74 in round 4.
“There is always a group of us that go when we can and even supporters that have never been before were talking about jumping online and having a look at ticket prices and stuff,” Finlay said.
“There is a couple of ladies from Melbourne that were around back in the 1995 days that every time we are on the road come and watch.
“No doubt we are going to be loud only if there is only 50 of us.”
Finlay said while she would leave the onfield speak in Potter’s hands, there is nothing better than being able to play a strong team multiple times.
“We absolutely can do it,” she said.
Launceston finished second in their pool with 18 wins and four losses, while Kilsyth were the team to beat with just two losses throughout the home-and-away season.
The Southern Conference final winner will play the Eastern Conference final victor in the league final on September 10.