The banners, flags and even players may have been scaled down but the venue provided the authentic AFL experience as Launceston’s young footballers savoured their grand finals.
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UTAS Stadium hosted the climax of the Northern Tasmanian Junior Football Association season on Sunday and provided the theatre of dreams for 1800 starry-eyed participants.
A record representation of eight of the 12 clubs were represented in the five finals, each bringing plenty of support to generate a fitting atmosphere for the season’s showpiece.
“This is what they set themselves up for at the beginning of the year,” said NTJFA chairman Dale Fraser.
“It’s the pinnacle for them to get to play here and means so much to them.
“Junior footy is going well in Launceston and just getting kids to play sport is a healthy choice.”
Having demonstrated admirable talent on the ground, Lachlan Brewer even got to practice his media training, jumping at the invitation of an interview with The Examiner after being named best on ground in Launceston’s 33-point defeat of South Launceston in the under-12s.
“It was a tough match but I really enjoyed the experience,” said the Riverside Primary School student.
“It was really good to play here. It’s really big so you have to run a lot but that challenges us.”
The ruckman added that he loved being part of his team before excusing himself to join mates for the obligatory team photo with fingers held high followed by a rendition of the team song in the dressing room.
Launceston coach Kurt Wheeler commiserated with opponents South and said his team’s success went beyond players and coach to include parents and the club.
Other premiers crowned were South Launceston and Prospect under-14s, East Launceston girls and North Launceston under-16s.
NTJFA competition manager Emma Anderson said the day’s events were a fitting way to end the season.
“Players have been working very hard to get to the pinnacle of their competitions and to have the opportunity to play in a grand final at a premier location such as UTAS Stadium is a wonderful reward,” she said.
Results
U12s, South Launceston 2.1.13 lt Launceston 7.4.46; BOG: Lachlan Brewer (Launceston). U14s gold, George Town 2.8.20 lt South Launceston 4.7.31; BOG: Matthew Lee (South Launceston). U14s brown, North Launceston 5.6.36 lt Prospect 10.6.66; BOG: Aiden Williams (Prospect). 13-17 girls, East Launceston 7.7.49 d Tamar Valley 1.0.6; BOG: Mia King (East Launceston). U16s, North Launceston 7.12.54 d Longford 5.1.31; BOG: Tom Foon (North Launceston).