NTFAW: Old Launcestonians win over Old Scotch to advance

The OLs continued their finals momentum with a tight fought victory over Old Scotch 4.2 (26) to 3.4 (22).

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OLs have come from the clouds in the past month to storm into finals and now premiership contention on the back of strong performances.

"I really can't put my finger on it, it's been really weird coming off five or six weeks ago, you don't see it very often ... it's sort of a roller-coaster of emotions," Prior said.

"I think it's the belief in this group, to be this close to it, again it's hard to explain I think it's one of those things that happens every now and again."

OLs were fresh off a tight fought victory last week against Scottsdale, where they held their opponents goalless for the game.

That was not to be in the preliminary final as Old Scotch started the better of the two sides and that translated into the attack to take a two-point lead into quarter time.

OLs defence shone in the second term to keep Old Scotch goalless while they capitalised and added a second goal for a three-point at the half.

Prior said he was proud of how OLs weathered the storm of Old Scotch pressure during the second term when the ball became entrenched in OLs defensive area.

"These sides can play, they're really good at what they do, just holding them [Old Scotch] out for that quantity of time, which was really hard to do and not allowing them to get back into the game was really important," Prior said.

Maddie Fry shone across half-back for OLs where she shut down Old Scotch's attacking moves while also adding a crucial goal to the scoreboard for her side.

"Maddie was really good across half-back, she shut down a really important player for them and she was really good rebounding," Prior said.

Failure to capitalise on their possession cost Old Scotch in the first half as their inability to convert territory into a score could have been the difference in a tight contest.

Old Scotch added a goal in the third term but OLs had all the answers with a goal of their own for a five-point lead heading into the final term.

However, the margin proved insurmountable as both sides added a goal in the final term to cancel out any in-roads and provide OLs the lead.

"It's probably that when you're underdogs it's probably extra special," Prior said.

The result locks in the NTFAW grand final between Launceston Football Club and Old Launcestonians.

Prior said the result provided a huge lift to the whole club as they begin preparations for the decider next weekend.

"They do play for each other and I think that is really important, there's a good social side of it and a good culture which is important," Prior said.

"Sometimes when you're the underdog, you've got nothing to lose, sometimes you can probably tend to enjoy it more.

"We're going to sit back relax and enjoy it and just give it a shot."

At least after the grand final, Prior can finally mow his father's lawn.

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