Launceston booked its place in the TSLW grand final with a stirring 10-point win over Clarence on Sunday.
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It was also the second time inside a month the Blues have knocked off the state’s minor premiers, but the first away in Hobart this year.
Coach Alex Gibbins was ecstatic to clear Launceston’s initial hurdle towards claiming the inaugural women’s premiership following the 5.8 (38) to 4.4 (28) victory in the second semi-final.
“I reckon we were probably the second best from the word go, others would say third, but we’ve certainly gotten better,” Gibbins said.
“We worked really hard on this game for three weeks – we knew three weeks out this was coming and that’s what we prepared for.”
Clarence initially jumped out of the blocks to score the opening two goals, but Launceston worked its way back into the final to head one point up into the break.
That lead stretched out to six points by half-time with the Blues scoring the only goal of the tense term.
But the match was won in the third quarter, the visitors jumping the Roos further to hold a 14-point lead, which Gibbins said the biggest lead played into their hands.
“It allowed us to control the game, slow the tempo down and just take hold of possession,” Gibbins said.
Clarence weren’t able to make significant inroads late, as Launceston won the centre clearances 8-4 and also the inside 50s 27 to 20.
“We really had a midfield domination today,” Gibbins said. “We really just won the game out of the middle.”