LAUNCESTON'S women's football team won its first state premiership in the Tasmanian Women's AFL competition, beating titleholder Clarence by 10 points in a hard-fought grand final at North Hobart yesterday.
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Clarence was on top in the first quarter, but Launceston fought its way back into the contest and led by three or four goals midway through the final quarter before running out a 11.4 (70) to 8.12 (60) winner.
"I was really proud of the girls and the way they played - they deserved to win today," Launceston coach Brett Sweeney said.
"We were slow to start in the first quarter, but we picked our game up and won the next three quarters.
"They kicked the last couple of goals, but we were never going to lose it once we got four goals up in the last quarter - which is quite a lot in women's football."
It was sweet revenge for the persistent Blues, who lost the 2008 and 2009 grand finals to the Roos.
Clarence had been undefeated this season in the six-team state competition going into yesterday's grand final.
Launceston's Amy Bradford backed up from her club best and fairest award for the year with a medal-winning best-on-ground performance as a ruck-rover for the Blues.
Claudia Matteo and Breeanna Laidler were very good across the half-back line, with Letitia Johnston playing well across half- forward.
"They were the better players, but everyone played their part in a great team effort," Sweeney said.
Kiara Foley kicked five goals to be the Blues' leading goalkicker, with Karlee Walker and Johnston kicking two each and Amanda Sweeney and Bradford one each. RESULT:
LAUNCESTON 11.4 (70) d CLARENCE 8.12 (60)
Goals - LAUNCESTON: K. Foley 5, K. Walker, L. Johnston 2, A. Bradford, A. Sweeney. CLARENCE: J. Wuetschner 3, J. Underwood, A. Silva 2, G. Hutchins.
Best - LAUNCESTON: C. Matteo, A. Bradford, L. Johnston, C. Bradford, K. Walker, N. Simons. CLARENCE: L. Winch, K. Beven, R. Dowe, A. Dickson, K. Baker, J. Wuetschner.
Grand Final awards:
Best on ground: Amy Bradford (Launceston).
Season awards - Leading goalkicker: Kiara Foley (Launceston), Kieren Hutchinson (North Hobart).
League best and fairest: Brittany Gibson (East Devonport).