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FINAL SCORE
South Launceston 10.14 (74) -d- Burnie 9.11 (65)
South Launceston's Jobi Harper has been named the 2013 Baldock Medal winner.
Fitting that Mitch Thorp would have the last meaningful touch, pushed himself onto the ball to ensure the game was theirs and had the final kick-out.
They held on in the end the Dogs. Burnie were coming hard, but like South early couldn't take their chances.
The game never really reached any great heights, but had all the intensity of a final. Jobi Harper and Jay Blackberry were outstanding for South, while Thorp led from the from the front.
Shackleton was the heart and soul for Burnie, while Brady Grey was outstanding, as was Jason Laycock.
Harper no doubt the best, Blackberry, M.Thorp, Johncock, Child, RIley, Drake and Russell among others to have good games.
(In no order) Laycock, Lee, Robertson, McKenna, Shackleton, Grey and Templeton all good for Burnie.
THREE-QUARTER TIME
South Launceston 8.12 (60) leads Burnie 7.6 (48)
The game opened up in that third quarter, with seven goals in that term compared to eight total for the first half. The Dogs looked like they had one hand on the cup when they opened up a 23-point lead, but Burnie has willed itself back into the contest.
The run and class of Brady Grey looks its greatest drawcard at the moment, while Luke Shackleton pushing into attack could turn out to be a decisive move. Jobi Harper continued his good game for the Dogs, while Jade Child and Dylan Riley also had good third terms.
Goalscorers: SOUTH - Harper, Hanson, Bardenhagen, Thorp, Russell, Riley 2, McCulloch. BURNIE - Grey 2, Robertson, Lee, Walters, Shackleton, Hayes.
HALF TIME
South Launceston 4.9 (33) lead Burnie 4.5 (29)
A high-pressure contest here at Aurora. Neither side has able to put a stamp on it.
Both teams have had their moments here, but have failed to take their chances.
Laycock has been outstanding for Burnie, with Templeton and Grey adding some class, while Lee and Robertson gave the Dockers an attacking edge in that term.
The Mckenna v Thorp battle has been a beauty. While Thorp only has the one goal, he has looked far more dangerous than that.
Blackberry, Johncock and Harper among the best for South.
Goalscorers: SOUTH LAUNCESTON: Harper, Will Hanson, Bardenhagen and Thorp. BURNIE: Brady Grey 2, Robertson and Lee
QUARTER TIME
South 2.5 (17) lead Burnie 1.1 (7).
A scrappy quarter early on that had waves of momentum late. For the majority it was the Bulldogs who controlled possession and territory, but failed to turn that into dominance on the scoreboard. As the quarter went on, the Dockers looked more settled, but the late Harper gave the Dogs the lead they deserve.
Blackberry and Johncock have been brilliant in the midfield, while Thorp has looked dangerous in attack without hitting the scoreboard. For Burnie, Laycock has been his dangerous best, dropping behind the ball and providing support for the Burnie defence.
Goalscorers: SOUTH - Jobi Harper and Matt Hanson ... BURNIE - Brady Grey
Clarence won the RACT Insurance Cup grand final: Clarence 11.6 (72) d Lauderdale 9.12 (66)
WATCH: Video: Friday Footy Focus
Doggies or Dockers?
Mitch Thorp or Jason Laycock?
Bart McCulloch or Russell Robertson?Who will prevail in today's state league grand final at Aurora Stadium.
South Launceston and Burnie have been the two form teams of the competition all season and today one of them will win the coveted premiership trophy.
From 1.30pm, The Examiner's football scribe ALEX FAIR will be live blogging today's big game, including all the team news before kick-off at 2.05pm.
We will also feature all the action on and off the ground with photo galleries from Scott Gelston and Will Swan.
READ: Coach Thorp opens up
AT A GLANCE: South Launceston
FORMED: May 1986 merger of City-South and East Launceston
JOINED STATE LEAGUE: 2009
PRESIDENT: Ian Goninon
GENERAL MANAGER: Braden McGee
COACH: Mitch Thorp
CAPTAIN: Mitch Hills
COLOURS: Royal blue, red and white
HOME GROUND: Youngtown
PREMIERSHIPS - NTFL: 1998, 99
AT A GLANCE: Burnie Dockers
FORMED: 1994 amalgamation of the Burnie Tigers and the Burnie Hawks
JOINED STATE LEAGUE: 2009
PRESIDENT: Peter Vincent
GENERAL MANAGER: Barry Gaby
COACH: Brent Plant
CAPTAINS: Kade Munday and Luke Shackleton
COLOURS: Purple and white
PREMIERSHIPS: Burnie Tigers, NWFU: 1927, 28, 37, 39, 54, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 66, 74. NTFL: 1992, 2001, 02, 03, 04, 05