South Launceston started the stronger of the two sides in the first term as they wrestled control their way.

Daniel Berry drew first blood for the Bulldogs after he was found on the lead with a beautifully weighed kick. The Tigers responded through Nedd Carr before Bradley Keegan and Jak Hadley restored the Dogs lead at the break.

Longford flipped the script in the second term as their defence shone to keep South Launceston goalless for the term.

The Tigers cashed-in on their momentum to bag three goals of their own and establish a slim one-point lead at the interval.

Michael Larby and Sam Roach added two early goals before a boundary line snap confirmed Longford were back in the game.

South Launceston cultivated multiple attacking opportunities and a few good looks at goal but were unable to convert them, registering four behinds for the quarter.

Both teams spoke during the week about wanting to seize the opportunity in front of them for premiership glory and the Bulldogs were keen to ensure all three of their grand final teams seized the moment to complete a vaunted three-peat of sorts.

Dylan Headland's spearing pass to Longford skipper Luke Pearton provided an opportunity to further extend their lead over the Bulldogs.

From a tight angle, Pearton delivered meaning the Bulldogs were under-pressure to find a response after four unanswered goals early in the third term.

After appearing unable to miss, the Tigers blotted their copybook with a series of behinds and ill-worked opportunities for rushed behinds to register six behinds in the term and keep their opponents in with a chance.

The Bulldogs needed someone to steady the ship and when midfielder Samuel Lucas hit Berry lace-out it was the time to deliver.

Berry converted to bring the Bulldogs to life before he earnt a free-kick on the three-quarter time siren.

Berry took his opportunity and kicked the major to ensure the Dogs and Tigers were level heading into the final change.

Aside from the shield season, Longford had been here before in 2019 except Bridgenorth steam-rolled the Tigers in that grand final.

The Tigers and Bulldogs had been desperate all game as they crashed into packs, crunched into tackles and dived despairing to smother opposition kicks.

When Pearton delivered another bullet-pass on the chest of Carr, it represented an opportunity to calm the nerves.

Carr converted with ease from straight in front to send the Tigers into the lead at a time when goals where scarce despite the reasonable conditions.

When Bennett and Carr converted late in the fourth term, the Tigers premiership status was confirmed.