NTFA Premier Division: Longford edge Rocherlea in tight qualifying final match

The two sides had delivered two tight encounters during the regular season and the qualifying final on Saturday proved no exception as both defences reigned supreme with scoring a rare commodity.

Rocherlea kicked the only goal in a gruelling first term which was played majorly between the arcs as both sides struggled to connect going into attack.

Longford increased their pressure around the ball in the second term to effectively have the game played in their forward half of the ground.

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Longford's Jaidyn Harris and Connor Alexander marshalled the Longford defence superbly and repeatedly extinguished Rocherlea's attacking forays.

The pressure worked as Tigers secured their first goal of the game through Cameron Gard before goal-kicking machine Luke Murfitt-Cowen added another to deliver a two-point lead at half-time.

Some terrific work from Connor Pearton found Gard on the lead for another Longford goal after the interval.

Rocherlea was not out of the fight though after Cody Weedon used the breeze to his advantage to slot a much-needed goal from distance.

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Tensions flared when a minor scuffle broke out between the sides allowing Zane Brown to convert from the goal-square and hand Rocherlea a vital lead.

Longford delivered a three consecutive goals in the final term to reclaim the lead and seal victory to the delight of a voracious home crowd

Jacob Wiggers sparked euphoric scenes in the stand at Longford Oval with a monstrous goal from virtually inside the centre square to effectively seal the result.

Longford will face South Launceston in the preliminary final while Rocherlea will await the winner of Bracknell and Deloraine.

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