NTFA Division one: Old Launcestonians reach grand final

OLs made early in-roads against the Swans with a commanding four goal to one first term which set the tone.

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Before the game, OLs spoke extensively about bringing the pressure and intensity to the contest against the Swans which they carried out for large parts of the first half and it told on the scoreboard.

Cleaver's side put their foot down in the second term to establish a dominant position with a six goal to one second term and take a 46-point lead into the break.

Cleaver said the half was one of OLs best halves of football for the season.

"As far as it being a preliminary final and having that pressure in a preliminary final, it was definitely one of our better first halves for the year," he said.

"We've had games where we've come out had that pressure, started well and finished games off and had good wins.

"For it to be a preliminary, in a big game like that the way the boys did, it was one of the most pleasing first halves of football."

OLs forward Thomas Chugg was irrepressible in attack, providing a consistent presence and monstering the Swans backline with nine goals for the match.

Cleaver said the forward was one of the stand-out players on the field.

"He's a big game player, he ended up with nine goals for the game, they tried a few big guys on him," he said.

"He was just such a strong forward, just got to get the ball into his area and he'll get the job done, he was very good in front of goals.

"Super pleased with him and he was obviously the difference for us."

It was far from smooth sailing for OLs in the second half as the Swans rallied and put on eight goals to five to improve the margin by the final siren.

Cleaver said he was proud of how his side had handled a ferocious East Coast outfit in the second half.

"It was a heavy deck, the amount of work the boys were putting in the first half meant they would get tired at some point," he said.

"They came out well after half-time, we knew we weren't going to have the second half replicate the first half.

"We had no bench by the end so guys we normally would rotate off, they couldn't come off.

"So we were out on our legs a bit in the last quarter."

The result means Old Launcestonians will match-up against the league's number one side Lilydale in the grand final next week.

Cleaver said OLs should go into the major game with a clean bill of health.

"Just general soreness, some guys we'll manage throughout the week to get them right but we should hopefully go into the game next week hopefully unchanged," he said.

Cleaver said the lead-up to the big event will be a balance between reflection and optimism as OLs look to take the out the major prize.

"You've got to soak it up, you have got to appreciate and recognise the hard work you've done throughout the year to get to that point," he said.

"It's obviously a huge thing for us to get to that point, obviously work on things as per normal throughout the week but it's a different game, it's great for us.

"The boys are excited, we'll see what comes next."

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