SOUTH Launceston coach Leigh Harding says his side would head into next week’s preliminary final against Bracknell with utmost confidence.
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The Bulldogs were 15 points too good for Scottsdale in their first semi-final match at Youngtown Oval on Sunday – winning 13.9 (87) to 11.6 (72).
The hosts controlled general play early in what was a scrappy opening term with South dominating the inside 50s, however, they could only manage three behinds to quarter time.
It took 21 minutes for Scottsdale’s Dominic Killworth to pounce on a chance and send through the first major.
It wasn’t long and the Magpies had their second thanks to a free kick 25-metres out to Joe Robinson, who gave them a nine-point advantage 30 minutes in.
The game opened up in the second quarter with eight goals added, the first coming from Chris Cairns one minute in to extend the Pies’ lead to 15 points.
Brad Keegan kickstarted Leigh Harding’s men into gear with the Dogs kicking four of the term’s next five majors to hold a one-point advantage with a half to play.
Tom Holmes (concussion) and Sam Cairns (knee) did not play a single minute in the second half, making Scottsdale’s task all the more difficult.
Darren Crawford was the go-to man for the victors, kicking three in the third term and finishing the day with six to his name.
The Bulldogs converted 6.4 to 3.1 after finding their groove as the injury-riddled Magpies struggled to find a target up front with many skill errors costing them dearly.
They trailed by 19-points at three-quarter time and won their final term of season 2016 by four points with Joseph Krushka, Killworth and Lee Nichols kicking a consolation goal each. South’s Joel Mountney and David Patten led a solid defence, while Aaron Viney and Harding worked wonders in the midfield.
For the Magpies, defender Bryton Mullins stood out as did Joe Robinson, Killworth and Krushka.
Harding said he is looking forward to a final series rematch with Bracknell at Longford on Saturday on the back of a six-day break.
“We have played a lot of finals football and like playing at Longford… so we are going to be extremely confident,” Harding said.
“Having said that they beat us last time and we are going to be out to hunt them.”
Scottsdale coach Geoff Mohr said he was disappointed with the result.
“The way the boys fought it out was great,” he said.
“We just weren’t willing to work hard enough today.”