NTFA Premier Division: South Launceston defeat Longford

It was the same every time for McCulloch, walk to his mark, lower the ball to his laces and begin his run-up towards goal.

The result was often the same as well, a goal.

Onlookers at Youngtown Oval would be well aware of McCulloch's routine given he notched eight goals to be the definitive player on the ground in the semi-final against Longford.

McCulloch's flurry of last quarter goals against the Tigers were vital given Longford's third term had given them a chance of highway robbery in the final term.

Coach Anthony Taylor said McCulloch's performance was the result of a man enjoying playing his footy again.

"The beauty of what Bart's giving this football club at the minute is just a guy who is really enjoying his footy," he said.

"You can see that in his football, there's games he's played equally as well as today, where he's only kicked four goals but he's really bought into what the footy club is doing.

"If he just gets the ball to ground and doesn't get out-marked that's all we ask of him."

While McCulloch was the main show, the Bulldogs had plenty of cameo performances to ensure they booked a spot in this year's grand final.

Vice-captain Jordan Tepper provided good service out of the clearances before exhibiting terrific goal sense to notch three majors.

"Tepper was enormous I thought, especially in that last quarter so he's been really good for us all year," Taylor said.

Longford were not without their moments though as they exhibited through a compelling third quarter where they delivered five goals to two to be within three points at the break.

At their best, Longford's ball movement through the corridor was scintillating such as when Jaidyn Harris pulled down a courageous grab in the fourth term.

Harris shifted the ball to the centre of the ground towards Josh Frankcombe who found Cameron Gard for a much-needed goal.

"I thought in that third quarter Longford really took control of the game but to our guys credit, we adjusted at three quarter time and we responded by having a really positive last quarter," Taylor said.

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However, South Launceston's relentless opening term where they added four goals to two proved telling for the Tigers at the final siren.

That is exactly what Taylor wanted when he spoke to his players before the bounce.

"All you can ask for at this time of year is a really good start and you always go into any sort of finals game with a good start," he said.

"I thought we achieved that today, I thought our start was really good and we got ourselves into a good position at half-time."

Talented Bulldog Gareth Holt came off worse in a painful collision during the game and will be monitored in the lead-up to the grand final.

"Hopefully there's no breaks or anything like that, unfortunately, every year there's hard luck stories," Taylor said.

"Every club is in the same boat unfortunately it's a terrific time of the year but it can also be heartbreaking.

"We just need to make sure we support him if it goes the wrong way."

Longford will be awaiting the winner of Bracknell and Rocherlea in the preliminary final next week.

South Launceston enjoy a week off before the grand final fixture.

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